Japan's notoriously expensive education will get more expensive from April. Most of the country's prestigious private universities will raise their tuition and other fees from April. Of 39 private universities with more than 10,000 undergraduates, at least 13 have said they plan to increase fees, even though they are already extremely high.
Most universities said the increases were intended to make the quality of education better. However, the increases seem aimed more at offsetting costs resulting from the consumption tax hike effective in April. Although college fees, including tuition, enrollment fees and other usage fees are tax-free, universities still have to purchase supplies and deal with many costs that are not tax-free.
The increases, which could range from ¥50,000 to ¥200,000 annually, will add to the burden on families. Some departments, for example in the sciences, may raise fees even more. Some of the increased fees will help support study abroad programs or fund new facilities.