Japan approves free college tuition for large families

Dec 23, 2023 | News On Japan

TOKYO - In a landmark move to address declining birthrates, the Japanese government has announced free college tuition for families with 3 or more children as part of the 'Children's Future Strategy', a comprehensive plan ratified by Cabinet on Friday.

At the heart of this initiative is the commitment to bolster child and childcare support. Starting from the 2025 academic year, families with three or more children will be eligible for free university tuition. This scheme aligns with the current school tuition assistance program, capping fees at about 540,000 yen for public universities and 700,000 yen for private universities, with entrance fees around 280,000 yen and 260,000 yen respectively. The program will also extend to junior colleges, technical colleges, and specialized training schools.

The program will be implemented without income limits, aiming to benefit an estimated 400,000 individuals and involving a budget projection of around 260 billion yen.

Source: ANNnewsCH

Russian 'Spy' Flees Japan

A Russian military intelligence officer accused of posing as an airline employee in Tokyo while overseeing the smuggling of high-tech equipment needed to sustain Russia's invasion of Ukraine left Japan after his activities were reported by The New York Times.

Can Climbers Survive a Sudden Mount Fuji Eruption?

Mount Fuji has entered its summer climbing season, drawing hundreds of thousands of visitors while authorities on its Shizuoka and Yamanashi sides take sharply different approaches to protecting climbers from a possible eruption.

JAXA Conducts Epsilon S Engine Firing Test

The Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency conducted a ground firing test of the second-stage engine for its Epsilon S small solid-fuel rocket at the Tanegashima Space Center in Kagoshima Prefecture on July 23.

Why Kuwana Reached a Record 40.6 Degrees

Kuwana in Mie Prefecture recorded 40.6 degrees Celsius, the highest temperature anywhere in Japan this year, as a powerful high-pressure system and hot downslope winds combined to produce dangerous heat across a wide area.

RansomHouse Claims Responsibility for Cyberattack on Nichirei

The hacker group known as RansomHouse has claimed responsibility for a cyberattack on frozen food giant Nichirei that delayed shipments and disrupted restaurants and supermarkets across Japan.

MEDIA CHANNELS

MORE Society NEWS

Kyoto Musician Arrested for Rocking Around the Clock

A 61-year-old unemployed man has been arrested after allegedly subjecting a quiet Kyoto neighborhood to years of relentless radio broadcasts and amplified guitar music, leaving nearby residents with sleep disorders and other health problems.

Dramatic Video Shows Police Shooting Knife-Wielding Robbery Suspect

A police officer shot and wounded a 21-year-old man who allegedly robbed a convenience store in Koshi, Kumamoto Prefecture, and then approached officers with a kitchen knife on the evening of July 22.

U.S.-Made One-Ton Bomb Found in Osaka Residential Area

An unexploded U.S.-made bomb believed to date from World War II has been discovered at a housing construction site in a residential district of Minoh, Osaka Prefecture, potentially requiring the evacuation of nearly 5,000 people during its disposal.

First Arrest for Capturing Endangered Butterfly

A 55-year-old man has been arrested for allegedly capturing an endangered butterfly in the Norikura Highlands of Matsumoto, Nagano Prefecture, marking Japan's first arrest involving the protected species.

Policeman Refuses Breath Test After Crashing Into Utility Pole

A 27-year-old police officer arrested after crashing into a utility pole in Hiroshima was found to have been driving under the influence, with a blood test detecting nearly three times the legal alcohol limit.

Japan Introduces Stricter Penalties for Drunk Driving

Japan began applying a new numerical alcohol threshold for dangerous driving offenses on July 21, introducing a clearer standard for cases involving impaired driving that could lead to fatal accidents.

Police Fire Warning Shot at Knife-Wielding Woman

A police officer fired a warning shot into the air after a 42-year-old woman approached officers while pointing a kitchen knife at them on a street in Eniwa, Hokkaido, on July 17.

Armed Driver Crashes Car Into Convenience Store

A 45-year-old man was arrested early July 20 after allegedly crashing a passenger car into a convenience store in Sagamihara, Kanagawa Prefecture, and walking around the parking lot carrying a kitchen knife and a golf club.

< 2 3 4 5 >