Class cancellations in the event of a disaster or other emergency

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日本語

To ensure student safety in the event of a disaster, Kyoto University has established a set of guidelines (linked below) outlining the handling of classes and regular examinations in such situations.

Kyoto University Guidelines for Cancellation of Classes, etc., in the Event of a Disaster or Other Emergency

These guidelines, updated on 1 April 2025, are summarized as follows.

1. Cancellation of classes based on a weather warning

Cancellation of classes and postponement of regular examinations (hereafter "cancellation of classes") shall be implemented when an emergency weather warning, storm warning, or blizzard warning has been issued as follows (not applicable to other types of weather advisory or warning).

Campus(es) affected Area under warning
Yoshida Campus
Katsura Campus		 Kyoto City (or an area including Kyoto City)
Uji Campus Uji City (or an area including Uji City)

2. Cancellation of classes due to suspension or planned suspension of public transportation services in the event of a disaster or other emergencies

Cancellation of classes shall be implemented if either one of the conditions described below applies:

For Yoshida Campus

  1. Kyoto City Bus services have been wholly suspended or planned to be suspended
  2. Two or more of the following transportation services have been wholly or partially suspended or planned to be suspended:
    • West Japan Railway:
      - Between Kyoto Station and Osaka Station on the Kyoto Line
      - Between Nagahama Station and Kyoto Station on the Biwako Line
      - Between Ōmi-Shiotsu Station and Kyoto Station on the Kosei Line
      - Between Kyoto Station and Nara Station on the Nara Line
      - Between Kyoto Station and Sonobe Station on the Sagano Line
    • Hankyu Railway: between Kyoto Kawaramachi Station and Osaka Umeda Station on the Kyoto Line
    • Keihan Railway: between Demachiyanagi Station and Yodoyabashi Station/Nakanoshima Station on the Keihan Main Line, Kamoto Line, and Nakanoshima Line
    • Kintetsu Railway: between Kyoto Station and Yamato-Saidaiji Station on the Kyoto Line
    • Kyoto Municipal Subway
      - Between Kokusaikaikan Station and Takeda Station on the Karasuma Line
      - Between Rokujizo Station and Uzumasa Tenjingawa Station on the Tozai Line

For Uji Campus

Both of the following transportation services have been wholly or partially suspended or planned to be suspended:

  • West Japan Railway: between Kyoto Station and Nara Station on the Nara Line
  • Keihan Railway: between Chushojima Station and Uji Station on the Uji Line

For Katsura Campus

  1. All of the following services have been wholly or partially suspended or planned to be suspended:

    • Kyoto City Bus: Route West 6

    • Keihan Kyoto Kotsu Bus: Route 20 or Route 20B

    • Yasaka Bus: Route 6 or Route 6S

  2. Both of the following transportation services have been wholly or partially suspended or planned to be suspended:
    • West Japan Railway: between Kyoto Station and Osaka Station on the Kyoto Line
    • Hankyu Railway: between Kyoto Kawaramachi Station and Osaka Umeda Station on the Kyoto Line

3. Class cancellation and resumption flowchart

Class cancellation decisions based on a weather warning or the suspension of public transportation services shall be made as per the guidelines linked above. The following chart illustrates the decision-making process involved:
Class cancellation and resumption flowchart

4. In the event of an earthquake

Cancellation of classes shall be in effect for an extended period if an earthquake with a seismic intensity of “6 Lower” or more has occurred in an area encompassing the Yoshida Campus, Uji Campus, and Katsura Campus.

5. Other cases

  • Cancellation of classes shall be implemented on all or part of the Yoshida Campus, Uji Campus, and/or Katsura Campus if the executive vice-president in charge has determined it necessary to ensure the safety of students.
  • A Disaster Response Task Force may be established in the event of earthquakes, including ones with a seismic intensity of 5-upper or less, or other types of emergency. Cancellation of classes shall be implemented on all or part of the Yoshida Campus, Uji Campus, and/or Katsura Campus for an extended period if the director of the Task Force has determined it necessary to ensure the safety of our students.

6. Communication method

Information regarding the cancellation of classes shall be posted on the Kyoto University Liberal Arts Syllabus Information System (KULASIS) and the University website.

Face-to-face Classes and Examination Updates

7. Special measures for students who are unable to come to the University

Even if an overall cancellation of classes described in the above guidelines has not been implemented, students who are unable to come to the University to attend classes due to any of the following circumstances may apply for special measures by submitting a class absence notification form to the education affairs section of their Faculty or Graduate School.

  • An earthquake with a seismic intensity of 6-lower or more has occurred in the area where the student lives.
  • An evacuation order has been issued in the area where the student lives.
  • A weather warning has been issued in the area where the student lives.
  • A disaster equivalent to the preceding three items has occurred in the area where the student lives or commutes.

Note: Special measures are not applicable to suspension or delay of public transportation services caused by an accident.