Key Facts
• Claims of ¥10 million scholarships for Chinese students spread on social media.
• The program in question is the “SPRING” initiative, launched in 2021.
• SPRING supports doctoral students with up to ¥2.9 million annually for 3–4 years.
• In 2024, 60% of recipients were Japanese, 40% were international students.
• Chinese students accounted for 3,151 recipients, nearly 30% of the total.
• The Ministry of Education clarified no nationality is prioritized in the selection process.
• Social media posts misrepresent the program as favoring Chinese students.
• Policy changes in 2026 will limit living expense support to Japanese students.
• Foreign student support includes the “Government-Funded International Student Program,” aiding 2.8% of 336,708 students.
• In 2024, 617 Chinese students benefited from this program, similar to other nationalities.
Summary
Social media claims that the Japanese government provides ¥10 million scholarships exclusively to Chinese students are misleading. The “SPRING” program, launched in 2021, supports doctoral students regardless of nationality, with 60% of recipients being Japanese in 2024. While Chinese students represent the largest group of international recipients, the Ministry of Education denies any favoritism. Policy adjustments in 2026 will restrict living expense support to Japanese students. Additionally, only 2.8% of foreign students benefit from the “Government-Funded International Student Program,” with Chinese recipients comparable to other nationalities. These facts highlight the inaccuracies in claims of preferential treatment for Chinese students.
