Japan education ministry OKs plan to exclude foreign PhD students from living expenses aid
The aid program, known as the "SPRING" (Support for Pioneering Research Initiated by the Next Generation) initiative, was launched in academic 2021 by the ministry's Japan Science and Technology Agency. It pays doctoral candidates up to 2.9 million yen (about $19,200) annually for living and research expenses. In the 2024 academic year, of the total 10,564 recipients, about 40%, or 4,125 individuals, were international students, with Chinese nationals making up the largest number -- 3,151. This led to criticism from ruling Liberal Democratic Party lawmakers and others in the Diet.
In response, the education ministry reviewed its policy, proposing at the July 30 committee meeting to limit the recipients of living expense support -- up to 2.4 million yen per year -- exclusively to Japanese students. Research funding, on the other hand, will continue to be available to international students. Additionally, the scope of research funding will be expanded to include working students with stable incomes, who were previously ineligible.
Meanwhile, some 19,300 signatures collected under the statement, "Do not discriminate against students based on nationality," were presented to the ministry on the same day by people opposing the policy change, accompanied by a protest rally. A ministry official explained, "The policy change reflects the original intent to support Japanese students advancing to doctoral programs, but the ministry acknowledges the importance of supporting international students and plans to address this through other policies."
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