Six elementary schools in quake-hit Wajima City, Ishikawa Prefecture, held joint entrance ceremonies on Monday for first grade students to start the new school year.

The schools convened at the fire station hall for the ceremonies. This was because some school buildings and gymnasiums had become unavailable due to a powerful earthquake that struck central Japan's Noto Peninsula on New Year's Day.

The event was split into two sessions, with three schools attending each one.

The ceremonies began with a moment of silence for the disaster victims. Then, as each student's name was called, they answered energetically.

The principal of Fugeshi Elementary School, Yamagishi Tazuko, said in a speech that while they experienced fear and faced hardships due to the quake, they received encouragement and support from various people. She said she was happy to be able to hold the entrance ceremony.

Yamagishi added the students may be anxious of their new environment but they have many peers. She urged them to enjoy their school life.

The six elementary schools will hold classes together in vacant classrooms in a junior high school during the first term, starting Tuesday. Some children who are sheltering outside the city will attend classes online.

In the second term, the six schools will move to a temporary school building to be built on the grounds of a local elementary school.