Children at six elementary schools in the quake-hit city of Wajima in Ishikawa Prefecture have moved into a new temporary structure to start the autumn term.
About 400 children attended a joint opening ceremony on Monday. The two-story structure was built on the grounds of Kawai Elementary School in central Wajima.
Six of the city’s nine elementary schools were damaged in the major earthquake that hit the Noto Peninsula on New Year’s Day. Some of them are set to be demolished.
The six schools had restarted classes at Wajima Senior High School in early February. The pupils then moved into Wajima Junior High School in April.
A sixth grader said she is looking forward to the events that will be held in the new building, and she hopes to make many friends.
The pupils got together in their own classrooms to talk about their summer vacation memories. Some of them visited a library to borrow books.
The six schools are to hold classes at the temporary structure for some time.