PM Abe asks all of Japan schools to close over coronavirus

FILE PHOTO: People wearing protective masks are seen in the Shibuya shopping district in Tokyo, Japan, February 24, 2020. REUTERS/Athit Perawongmetha/File Photo

TOKYO (Reuters) - Japan's entire school system, from elementary to high schools, will be asked to close from Monday until spring break late in March to help contain the coronavirus outbreak, Prime Minister Shinzo Abe said on Thursday.

The dramatic escalation of Japan's fight against the virus follows rising criticism of what has been seen as a lukewarm government response.