Japan Press Weekly

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2008 July 2 - 8 [EDUCATION]

JCP holds talks regarding issue of high university tuitions

Japanese Communist Party Vice Chair Ishii Ikuko on July 2 had a meeting in Tokyo with officials of the Japan Association of National Universities (JANU) and explained the JCP proposal for reducing tuition fees.

Pointing out that the college entrance rate among young people from low-income families is declining, Ishii explained the JCP proposal for measures to encourage them to go on to higher education, including reductions or exemptions of tuition fees and improvements in the scholarship program for students with financial difficulties.

In the meeting, JANU Director General Hayata Kenji said he agrees with the aim of the JCP proposal. “The JANU submitted a petition to the Education Ministry on behalf of all national university presidents in opposition to an increase in the national university tuition fees for fiscal 2005. Our opposition stopped the government from increasing the tuition since FY2006.”

Explaining that the JCP sent the proposal to all national university presidents, Ishii said, “As we consider that access to higher education contributes to social development, the JCP will cooperate with you in this effort.”

Hayata said that after becoming independent administrative agencies, most national universities are in financially difficult situations due to cuts in the governmental subsidy. “National and private universities will join forces to increase the government budget for higher education,” he added.