The government plans to support internship programs for university students at local companies from fiscal 2026.

The aim is to strengthen the flow of people from urban to rural areas by encouraging university students in big cities to return to their hometowns after graduation and students in the countryside to settle in the regions.

For the internship support project, ¥200 million ($1.36 million) in budget funds will be sought for the year starting next April.

In June this year, the government drew up a basic concept presenting measures to be taken intensively for the next 10 years toward the realization of Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba's signature Regional Revitalization 2.0 policy.

The basic concept includes a target of raising the share of young people who move out of the Tokyo metropolitan area to 5.0% by the end of fiscal 2034 from 2.5% in 2024.

Under the project, local governments will set up internship promotion plans listing participating companies and showing details of their internship programs, including the duration.

The central government expects to certify some plans considered effective and provide subsidies to help cover the costs of running the internship programs and students' travel and accommodation expenses.

The government is also seen requesting ¥50 million in funding for the promotion of local hubs that provide administrative, medical care, shopping and other essential services in one place.