A student at the University of Tokyo has filed a lawsuit against the university, seeking a review of a decision that made him repeat the year after missing classes due to coronavirus infection.

Sugiura Sota, a second-year student, filed suit with the Tokyo District Court on Friday.

He got infected with the coronavirus in May and missed required classes due to high-fever and other symptoms.

He says he was not allowed to take make-up lessons and that the university decided not to give him sufficient credits, forcing him to repeat the year.

He is demanding the cancellation of the decision.

Sugiura insists it's illegal for the university to grade students who had been infected with the coronavirus without providing relief measures for them.

He says he hopes to enter the medical department and that the university's decision will delay his plan to become a doctor even though he wants to help people who are suffering.

He also says he hopes his suit will force the university to review its unfair treatment as there are many other students who have been seriously disadvantaged by the infection.

The University of Tokyo says it will not comment on the matter as it has not yet received the petition.