Japan gov’t OKs cash handout to struggling students amid pandemic

TOKYO, May 19, 2020, Kyodo. The Cabinet approved Tuesday a program to provide up to 200,000 yen ($1,900) in cash handout to each of around 430,000 university and other students in Japan struggling financially to pay for their tuition or livelihoods amid the coronavirus outbreak, The Mainichi reported.

The support measure comes as the pandemic has led to business closures in many regions and forced students to suspend or cut back on their part-time jobs. Students from overseas are also subject to the program.

Students from low-income households exempt from residence tax will receive 200,000 yen each and others 100,000 yen.

The government has set aside 53 billion yen to finance the program, which covers students at universities, graduate schools, junior colleges, technical schools and Japanese language schools.

“It’s most important for students not to abandon continuing and advancing their education. We’d like to quickly provide assistance to all,” education minister Koichi Hagiuda told reporters.

The government will depend on the schools to determine which of their students should receive the assistance and will disburse the payment through the Japan Student Services Organization, an independent body that provides financial aid to students.