Japan Cuts Funding for International Doctoral Students

On June 26, Japan's education ministry revealed a significant shift in its funding strategy for doctoral students. Starting in fiscal year 2027, international doctoral students will no longer be eligible for living expense support through the Support for Pioneering Research Initiated by the Next Generation (SPRING) program. This program currently provides substantial financial assistance, up to 2.9 million yen annually, to eligible Ph.D. students.

The SPRING program, launched in 2021, has been a crucial source of funding for doctoral students, offering support for up to three years. In fiscal year 2024, the program benefited over 10,000 students across numerous universities in Japan. However, concerns arose regarding the distribution of these funds, particularly the high percentage of international students receiving support, with a significant portion originating from China.

The ministry clarified that the program's primary objective is to assist Japanese students who may be deterred from pursuing doctoral studies due to financial constraints. They noted that international students often make their decision to study in Japan before arriving and may have independent financial resources. Consequently, the ministry decided to exclude international students from receiving living expense support.

An education ministry official emphasized that the decision was not intended to exclude foreign students but to refocus the program on its core mission of supporting domestic students. This change, however, could potentially undermine the government's broader goal of increasing the number of international students in Japan.

The policy change has drawn criticism. A professor at a Japanese national university expressed concern, suggesting that the government's decision reflects a lack of understanding of the global landscape. The professor argued that the underlying issues contributing to low enrollment in doctoral programs are rooted in Japanese society itself, and the decision to limit support to Japanese students reflects an inward-looking perspective.