The Immigration Services Agency of Japan has released the following notices in regards to the status of residences of international students affected by the spread of the novel corona virus infection.

Overview
・Mid to long-term residents (with the residence status "Student", etc.) who are stranded in Japan, will be granted "Designated activities status (valid for 6 months)" from May 21st, where formerly only "short-term (90 days) visa" and "special activity (3 months) visa were granted, until it is possible to return to each respective country.

・ As of May 20th, short-term and mid to long-term stay residents, with status of residence for 3 months or less, applying for change status of residence / renewal of period of stay, will be able to apply for the "Designated activities status (valid for 6 months)".

・ The "Designated activities status (valid for 6 months)", if you wish, allows you to work (part-time job) within 28 hours per week.

・ To prevent congestion at the immigration counters some of the applications are only accepted by postal mails, till June 30th. Applications will not be accepted in person. Please refer to the links for further details.

http://www.moj.go.jp/content/001316293.pdf