TOKYO - As university entrance examinations reach their final stage, with national and public universities beginning their second-round tests on February 25th, many applicants and their families are grappling with the issue of “double payments” of admission fees, prompting the education ministry to consider reviewing the system.
The problem arises when students secure admission to a backup university before learning the results of their preferred choice. If the deadline to pay the admission fee at the backup university arrives before the announcement of results from the first-choice university, students must pay the deposit to keep their place, even though they may later enroll elsewhere.
For example, if a second-choice university announces successful applicants on February 15th with a payment deadline of February 25th, but the results of the first-choice university are announced on March 5th, students must pay the earlier deadline or risk losing their spot. If they later pass their preferred university and pay that admission fee as well, the earlier payment is not refunded, resulting in a double payment.
Some may wonder whether universities could simply wait for students to decide. However, according to Shiro Tsujimoto, a reporter covering the Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology (MEXT), universities want to determine as early as possible how many successful applicants will actually enroll.
By setting an admission fee deadline, universities can gauge the seriousness of applicants and estimate how many additional admission offers may need to be issued. The system also allows students who receive supplementary admission offers to complete enrollment procedures earlier.
According to a 2023 survey by MEXT, 23.5 percent of students reported paying admission fees to multiple universities—nearly one in four applicants. The average admission fee at private universities stands at 240,365 yen.
A separate 2025 survey by the National Federation of University Co-operative Associations found that students spent an average of 225,200 yen on textbooks, learning materials, and computers before starting university—roughly the same amount as a typical admission fee.
One first-year university student interviewed said they purchased a computer recommended by the university co-op for about 200,000 yen and could not help thinking about the admission fee paid to a university they ultimately did not attend.
For many families, such costs represent a significant burden, especially as some students may pay admission fees to more than two universities while awaiting final results.
Mai Demizu noted that financial reasons remain one of the biggest factors preventing some students from pursuing higher education, suggesting that even modest financial relief measures could help prospective students continue their studies.
Ken Ishida, editor-in-chief of The HEADLINE, argued that the issue also reflects a broader structural problem in society, where attending university is often seen as a necessary step before career opportunities become visible.
As a result, students feel compelled to secure a place somewhere by paying admission fees, even if they later withdraw. Ishida suggested that policymakers should also reconsider whether the current model of career and life progression tied closely to university enrollment remains appropriate.
Recognizing the growing concern, MEXT issued a notice to private universities and junior colleges in June 2025 calling for clearer explanations to students and parents, efforts to reduce the financial burden of admission fees, and measures to ease the burden on students who ultimately choose not to enroll.
In December 2025, MEXT conducted a survey of 836 private universities and junior colleges regarding admission fees for students who do not enroll. A total of 210 institutions said they had taken or were considering some form of action.
However, a closer look revealed that only 83 universities—about 10 percent—planned to implement measures starting with the 2026 entrance exam cycle, indicating that widespread changes have yet to occur.
Among universities introducing reforms, Tokyo Junshin University has decided to refund admission fees in full for students who do not enroll, while Bunka Gakuen University plans to refund the fee after deducting 100,000 yen.
Demizu suggested that universities should explore alternative ways of confirming students’ intention to enroll rather than relying on large admission fees, and focus on making their institutions more appealing to prospective students.
Ishida added that while universities inevitably operate within financial constraints and seek to secure as many students as possible—particularly in an era when nearly all applicants can gain admission somewhere—education institutions should ultimately compete through the quality of education and research environments they offer rather than relying on financial barriers.
Rather than competing solely within the existing framework of university admissions, he argued, institutions should focus on what kind of education they provide and how they can nurture the next generation of talent.
Source: TBS
