The education ministry is close to allowing pro-Pyongyang high schools for Korean residents in Japan to be covered by the government's tuition waiver program, according to sources.
A ministry panel of experts tasked with determining eligibility has assessed that the Korean schools, which have close ties with the General Association of Korean Residents in Japan (Chongryon), offer educational curricula similar to Japanese high schools, they said.
Under a law that took effect in April, high school students in public schools are exempt from tuition fees, while private and other schools equivalent to high schools receive ¥118,800 to ¥237,600 annually per student depending on household income.