politics

Komeito party suggests ¥20,000 grant for graduating high school students

14 Comments
By Katy Kelly, SoraNews24

The period between high school and higher education is one of the most tumultuous and nerve-wracking in a young adult’s life, and that’s without the extra layer of dread added by the global COVID-19 pandemic. Teenagers all over the world are wondering how to take the next step in their lives, and the difficulty of attending classes in a safe and consistent manner is only compounding that anxiety.

Yuzuru Takeuchi, who was recently announced as the head of policy for Japan’s Komeito Party, suggested a motion to the government to help assuage those woes — at least, the financial ones.

Takeuchi proposed that the government foot the bill for a 28 billion yen motion to send a fixed 20,000 yen payment to around 1,260,000 prospective university students around the country. That figure includes both high school students in their final year of schooling as well as ronin students, those who failed their university entrance exams and are attempting to take them again.

The 20,000 yen payout would cover the cost of the examination entrance fee, which is a particular concern in the current climate of economic recession and low family finances. Chief Cabinet Secretary Katsunobu Kato responded to the suggestion by saying, “I’d like to discuss it with the Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science, and Technology.”

The suggestion is especially interesting in how it alleges to cover ronin students. This initial proposal makes no mention of how deferred students will be deemed worthy of receiving the payout, or when any potential cut-offs would be. This sparked numerous joking comments online from older citizens who never attended university, claiming that they’d willingly make use of the payout.

“They should just make the examination free instead of handing out money. It costs money to distribute the payout, after all.”

“I count as a ronin, since I’m planning to attend college next year. Give me my 20,000 yen, please. No, really, though, I’d rather you gave 100,000 yen out to every citizen and made sure to reduce the consumption tax to zero.”

“Once third-year high school students pass their 18th birthday, they can vote. I see right through this.”

Financial motions like this can be tricky to pass in government. Whether Kato’s discussions go well or not could decide the future of the proposed payout, but until then, students will have to think up other ways to fund their entrance examination fees.

*Source: NHK News via *Hachima Kiko

Read more stories from SoraNews24.

-- University of Tokyo students can show off school pride with new jacket boasting ID display pocket

-- High schooler “forced” to quit school sues Kumamoto prefecture for a single yen

-- This store’s attempt at encouraging students preparing for entrance exams creeps us out

© SoraNews24

©2024 GPlusMedia Inc.

14 Comments
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The period between high school and higher education is one of the most tumultuous and nerve-wracking in a young adult’s life, 

What a vapid generalization. It also raises the question, what good will ¥20,000 do for such a "tumultuous and nerve-wracking period"?

4 ( +4 / -0 )

.....another stupid idiotic idea.....when will this nonsense end......likely never

2 ( +2 / -0 )

It is a travesty that there are countless students that process the acumen to be future entrepreneurs and innovators, essential for the countries future, but lack, or are refused the finance, investment to achieve their goals.

1 ( +1 / -0 )

And that will pay.... what.... 1/10th of the cost of the downpayment you have to make when choosing a favorite university to apply to? How about eliminating the cost of education? Too easy a solution?

4 ( +5 / -1 )

You’ll pay for university itself too!

Since there are many rich people in Japan, rather than making it “free” (courtesy of our taxes) for even rich kids, I’d prefer support be targeted towards the needy.

With debt approaching 300% of GDP, I think our kids will thank us if the government starts prioritizing spending on what counts and what can help eliminate disparity, rather than spraying money all over the place willy-nilly Komeito style. At this rate komeito will become synonymous with waste like Google is synonymous with web searches.

0 ( +1 / -1 )

I am appalled to learn you pay for University entrance exam.

"Killing" economically the youth from the start.

5 ( +5 / -0 )

Does this political cult realize that ¥20000 wouldn’t even pay the return train ticket to go to DisneySea?

5 ( +6 / -1 )

@Kurisupisu

Students in Japan receive very little help and schools here are akin to those found in the 3rd World.

I can agree with you about the little help. However, I disagree about the 3rd world system. I think the issue with education is the lack flexibility for students. You aren't allowed to learn your way or make changes. Also, the system that forces teachers to teach towards the lowest level student hinders many learners and forces them into the juku system. The teachers need more flexibility and the students need it as well.

Also, the jack of all trades system for teachers places students and teachers at a disadvantage. Many teachers are required to know and teach too many subjects so they are not able to specialize in a specific area to offer students the help they need.

5 ( +5 / -0 )

Pretty weak sauce. However, I see more and more discussion of UBI in the Japanese media of late. A growing consensus, even among the wealthy and supporters of the "free market" are seeing it as inevitable given a variety of factors including COVID job loss, automation, growing inequality and pension crisis.

2 ( +2 / -0 )

The problem with Komeito is that its a left leaning party aligned with a larger far right racist party, so just how effective their efforts will be remains to be seen

3 ( +4 / -1 )

Students in Japan receive very little help and schools here are akin to those found in the 3rd World.

200000 yen would be more like a reasonable stipend.

7 ( +7 / -0 )

Japan has debt approaching 300% of GDP, and Komeito is suggesting another new handout?

5 ( +7 / -2 )

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