Tuition and admission fees at universities and similar institutions made free for households with 3 or more dependent children — no income limit (in force in FY2025)
Source material is a Japanese government announcement (in Japanese); this page is a summary.
From FY2025 (Reiwa 7), households with 3 or more dependent children have tuition and admission fees at universities and similar institutions reduced or waived up to ceilings set by the national government, with no income limit.
Key facts
| Start | From FY2025 (Reiwa 7) — basis: Act No. 17 of Reiwa 7 |
|---|---|
| Who it covers | 3 or more dependent children & a student enrolled at a university or similar institution |
| Income limit | None (covered regardless of income) |
| Schools covered | Universities, junior colleges, colleges of technology (years 4 and 5), specialised training colleges |
| Annual ceiling, national and public universities | Admission fee 280,000 yen; tuition 540,000 yen |
| Annual ceiling, private universities | Admission fee 260,000 yen; tuition 700,000 yen |
| Other school types (private, examples) | Junior college: admission fee 250,000 yen, tuition 620,000 yen / specialised training college: admission fee 160,000 yen, tuition 590,000 yen |
| Funding | Consumption tax revenue |
| Responsible body | Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology (文部科学省) |
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From FY2025 (Reiwa 7), Japan reduces or waives tuition and admission fees, up to ceilings set by the national government, for students at universities, junior colleges, colleges of technology (years 4 and 5) and specialised training colleges who come from households with 3 or more dependent children, with no income limit. The basis is the Act Partially Amending the Act on Support for Studying at Universities and Other Institutions (Act No. 17 of Reiwa 7). The national government sets the annual ceilings by type of school: for example, admission fee 280,000 yen and tuition 540,000 yen at national and public universities, and admission fee 260,000 yen and tuition 700,000 yen at private universities. It is funded from consumption tax.
Background — why this change
The Japanese government says the scheme is intended to help build a society where no one gives up on having the number of children they consider ideal because of the cost of higher education. It points to the fact that, where the ideal number of children is 3 or more, the share of people citing child-rearing and education costs as the reason for giving up on that number stands out.
Summaries below are factual notes based on government announcements and primary sources — not evaluations or opinions.
Summaries reflect national-level programs. Municipal (city/ward/town) programs may differ — confirm with the official desk before applying.
FAQ
Is there an income limit?
No. If you have 3 or more dependent children and a student enrolled at a university or similar institution, you are covered regardless of income.
Which schools are covered?
Universities, junior colleges, colleges of technology (years 4 and 5) and specialised training colleges. The ceilings set by the national government differ by type of school and by whether it is national/public or private.
What happens when a child is no longer a dependant?
Support continues while you have 3 or more dependent children. For example, if your eldest child graduates and starts work so that you have fewer than 3 dependent children, you may fall outside the scheme. Check how this applies in your case with the school you attend.
Is tuition completely free at a private university?
Fees are reduced up to the ceilings set by the national government (for private universities, 700,000 yen a year in tuition and 260,000 yen in admission fees). If the actual tuition is above the ceiling, you may have to pay the difference yourself. Check exact amounts in the official guidance and with the school you attend.