Paying off student loans is one of the most serious financial problems weighing down university graduates. The Abe administration has included introduction of a government-sponsored scholarship program in its plan to offer all citizens chances to play an active role in society. It must do its utmost so the program will be introduced soon.
A family's financial condition should not discourage motivated youths from trying to receive higher education. Expanding financial support is indispensable in enabling students from low-income families to concentrate on their studies.
The economic and social policy outline adopted by the Abe Cabinet earlier this month calls for starting discussions on introducing a scholarship program. The education ministry will set up an experts' panel to work out the details. The ministry is expected to decide on the amount of funding and the number of students to be covered by the time the fiscal 2017 draft budget is compiled in December.