A recent survey found that an estimated over 400,000 junior high school students in Japan are showing signs that could lead to truancy. In some cases, they refuse to set foot in their classrooms, even when they are at school.

A non-profit organization, Katariba, conducted the survey in October through November this year.

The survey was conducted online and 5,953 junior high school students nationwide responded.

The Japanese government defines truancy as any absence from school for 30 days or more per year without a valid excuse such as illness.

The survey found that 277 students, or 4.7 percent of the total, were truant.

The survey also warns that other students are sending red flags that they could go down the same path.

Some refuse to attend school for more than a week, but are absent less than 30 days.

Some come to school, but spend most of their time in the infirmary or in the principal's office.

There are also students who feel deep inside that they would rather be somewhere else, instead of being at school every day.

These tendencies were shown by 785, or 13.2 percent, of the respondents. The organization estimates that the figure nationwide would be about 410,000 junior high students.

That is an increase of 80,000 from the survey conducted by a different group using the same method five years ago.

Chairperson of Katariba, Imamura Kumi, says hurdles to overcome truancy could be lowered by nipping problems in the bud. She says in order to prevent students from becoming truant, society must raise awareness of how important it is to lend a helping hand to these vulnerable children.