Strengthening student support as we usher in a new era
Greetings
Japan Student Services Organization (JASSO) is a core institution that comprehensively implements a variety of student support services for higher education in Japan. Since our founding in April 2004, with students and others at higher education institutions as our target, we have provided Scholarship Programs for Japanese Students, Support Programs for International Students, and Student Support Programs. This April marked our 23rd year of operation. We operate with the aim of achieving the five-year goals (midterm objectives) established by the Minister of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology (MEXT), and since April 2024, we have been implementing the initiatives of the fifth five-year cycle.
As society transforms along with the rapid adoption of generative AI and other factors, so, too, are higher education and the lives of students pursuing higher education changing. There are also concerns about the impact that the instability of the international situation in recent years is having on students. In an era of increasing uncertainty, JASSO's role has become more important than ever. Working closely with the government, universities, and other related organizations, we will continue to strengthen our three core areas of operation: Scholarship Programs for Japanese Students, Support Programs for International Students, and Student Support Programs.
With respect to the Scholarship Programs for Japanese Students, the New System for Higher Education Aid, which combines scholarship grants with tuition fee reductions/exemptions, is currently in place. In April 2024, support was expanded to cover middle-income households with multiple children and households of students enrolled in science, engineering, and agriculture programs at private universities, and in April 2025, the income limit for tuition fee reductions/exemptions for households with multiple children was abolished. We will continue to promote awareness of these programs, together with our scholarship loan programs (interest-free and interest-bearing), and ensure their steady implementation.
When it comes to Support Programs for International Students, we provide financial aid and information on study-abroad topics both for international students looking to study in Japan and Japanese students studying overseas. Together with the second stage of the TOBITATE! Young Ambassador Program, which commenced in fiscal 2023, we have been implementing a support project for the formation of a student exchange base through which we aim to work to provide opportunities to study abroad for local high school students and to foster interest in studying abroad. We will continue our various types of support for international students as we work to further promote international student exchange.
With regard to Student Support Programs, we conduct surveys and analyses of student life as well as collect and disseminate examples of best practices and provide training for faculty and staff members, with a focus on career education, job placement support, and support for students with disabilities. In response to the increasing diversity of internships, changes in job-hunting practices, and the growing number of students with disabilities, we provide support for initiatives at universities and other higher education institutions while making effective use of online tools and other resources.
Operating in accordance with the principle of equal opportunity in education as set forth in the Constitution and the Basic Act on Education, JASSO will contribute to the development of the people who will lead the next generation of society by promoting equal access to educational opportunities based on students' motivation and abilities and by creating an environment in which they can lead meaningful student lives. At the same time, we will continue to implement programs that promote international mutual understanding in an increasingly globalized world. From the perspective of our users, we are committed to providing clear and accessible information not only to students but also to parents, educational institutions, and the public at large, so your continued understanding and support is highly appreciated.
April 2026
Japan Student Services Organization
YOSHIOKA Tomoya, President
