Society

Japan to provide cash handout to financially-struggling foreign students

Mar 11 (NHK) - The Japanese government has decided on an emergency cash handout program to support financially-struggling international students who enter the country following the easing of coronavirus border restrictions.

The students who will have entered Japan and enrolled at universities or other educational institutions by the end of this month are each eligible for aid of 100,000 yen, or about 860 dollars.

The money will be given to those who face economic hardship due to difficulty to find a part-time job because of the pandemic, among other reasons.

Japan eased its coronavirus border controls on March 1, resuming new entries of foreign visitors other than tourists.

The government will also launch a new program on Friday to receive more international students, using vacant seats on flights when there are fewer business travelers.

The government will also accept applications for the same cash handout amount for Japanese and other students already enrolled in universities, graduate schools, or other educational institutions who are suffering from an economic impact due to the pandemic.

Officials say the money will be provided by the end of this month after a screening of applications.

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