A landmark education policy change in Japan is underway as the nation’s cabinet has approved an expansion bill to provide tuition-free high school education. The decision comes as part of a broader government initiative aimed at reducing the economic burden families face with education costs, and it aims to make education more accessible to all students in Japan regardless the socio-economic background.

In Japan, ensuring equal educational opportunities is a recurring societal concern. The high school tuition fees have been regarded as a major barrier to this balance. This step is seen as a mutation towards providing an equal platform for all students, regardless of the socio-economic background and is expected to garner significant public approval.

While tuition-free education is not a new concept, the implementation varies across regions globally. In the US, a significant debate exists around free tuition for tertiary education, while in European countries such as Germany and Sweden, tuition-free education—even at the university level—is well established.