Japan moves to end living stipends of up to $16,700 a year for foreign PhD students

According to a proposal presented at a ministry panel meeting on June 26, international doctoral students will no longer be eligible for living expense support under the government's funding program beginning in 2027, as reported by The Mainichi.

The plan, which is pending committee approval, will take effect in fiscal 2027 and exclude foreign students from receiving annual living subsidies ranging from 1.8 to 2.4 million yen (US$12,535–16,714).

In fiscal 2024, a total of 10,564 students received these stipends, with approximately 39% of them coming from overseas. Chinese nationals made up the majority of foreign recipients, accounting for 3,151 individuals, or 76%.

The issue gained attention in March when a lawmaker raised the topic during a parliamentary session, advocating that the grants be prioritized for Japanese nationals.

The support program was originally introduced in fiscal 2021 to boost doctoral enrollment by covering students’ living and research costs.

During the June 26 panel, the education ministry emphasized that the initiative was "primarily to support Japanese students who are hesitant to pursue doctoral studies due to financial concerns," according to The Asahi Shimbun.

The ministry also noted that international students typically make the decision to pursue doctoral studies before coming to Japan and are often financially prepared to study abroad independently.

"Living expense support will not be provided to international students," the ministry concluded.

Foreign students would still be eligible for research grants of up to 1.1 million yen under the current scheme.