Scholars in Japan have recently pointed out the 'triple-repetition barrier' tied to the government's free education plan. This plan intends to fully subsidize university tuition for students from low-income households, however, a three-times application limit presents a potential obstacle. Critics argue that this limit may prevent deserving students from accessing the benefits of the policy, as failed attempts to secure a spot in competitive universities could hit the cap quickly, despite the students' academic potential.

In Japan, there is high praise for the culture of educational perseverance. Many students often repeat a year to strive for better university admissions, a practice known as 'ronin.' Yet, the policy in question counts these 'ronin' years toward its limit, creating a significant hurdle for students who come from socioeconomically disadvantaged backgrounds.

In comparison, financial aid for college students in the US or EU does not typically involve limits on the number of application attempts. Their systems focus more on a student's demonstrated financial need and academic eligibility rather than the number of admissions cycles they have undergone.