Education Japanese parties agree on making high school tuition-free from fiscal 2026

Japan's ruling Liberal Democratic Party, the Japan Innovation Party (Nippon Ishin no Kai), and Komeito agreed to introduce a new scheme from fiscal 2026, starting in April, that will make high school education effectively free of charge. The agreement was finalised during a meeting among working-level representatives from the three parties, marking a rare moment of cooperation after Komeito ended its coalition with the LDP earlier in the month.

Under the plan, the subsidy cap for full-time private high school students will rise from ¥396,000 to ¥457,000, and for correspondence school students, from ¥337,000 to ¥ 457,000. Former education minister Masahiko Shibayama of the LDP said the deal held great significance, noting that schools would be thoroughly informed about the new system so students could make future choices with peace of mind.

Foreign students who are not expected to live in Japan permanently are not eligible for the free education program. Foreign schools will also be excluded, but a separate measure will be taken to maintain the current level of financial assistance. The program is expected to lead to a decline in the number of students applying for public high schools, whose tuition fees are currently lower than those of private high schools. Against this backdrop, a new subsidy system for prefectural governments will be established to help public high schools enhance their appeal. The three parties also agreed to take steps to prevent private high schools from raising tuition to take advantage of the free education program, such as having the central government monitor tuition information online.

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Foreign students and those attending international schools will be ineligible for the high school tuition-free program starting next fiscal year. According to an agreement reached on Oct. 29 by the Liberal Democratic Party, Nippon Ishin (Japan Innovation Party) and Komeito, foreign nationals whose status of residence is "student" will be excluded from the program from fiscal 2026. However, the three parties said assistance will be provided to those students under a separate framework from the perspective of securing globally competitive talent. For students at international schools, assistance comparable to the level offered through fiscal 2024 under the tuition support program--up to 118,800 yen ($780) a year subject to an income cap--will be provided through a different system.

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