Over Half of Japan's Scholarship Recipients Struggled to Buy Food

Financial Struggles Among Guardians of High School Scholarship Recipients in Japan

In a recent survey conducted by the Ashinaga Foundation, a Tokyo-based organization that supports children who have lost their parents due to illness, disaster, or disability, it was revealed that more than half of the guardians of high school scholarship recipients in Japan have faced difficulties in affording necessary food in the past year. The survey, carried out in August and September, targeted 3,487 households receiving the foundation’s scholarships, with preliminary results from 1,447 online responses.

Rising Prices Exacerbate Financial Challenges

The survey highlighted the increasing financial strain on already vulnerable families, particularly those supporting growing children. When asked about their ability to afford food, 12.4% of respondents indicated they often struggled, while 20.6% reported sometimes facing this issue, and 21.5% said it happened occasionally. Additionally, 33.8% of households had fallen behind on utility bills, rent, or taxes at least once in the past year due to financial difficulties.

Open-ended responses provided further insight into the dire situations many families are facing. One mother from Hokkaido shared, "Due to rising prices, I can't buy a satisfying amount. I eat one meal a day, and my growing son eats two meals a day." Another from Saitama Prefecture described, "We only eat instant ramen once a day. My daughter and I have only one light long-sleeve piece of clothing each, and our underwear is moldy. We just want a normal life." A mother from Aomori Prefecture expressed anxiety over upcoming heating oil costs, stating, "Considering the high prices and upcoming winter heating oil costs (30,000 to 40,000 yen, or around $203 to $270, per month), I'm very anxious about making it through."

The survey coordinator emphasized the urgency of the situation, stating, "For families with children who lost parents, rising prices are an urgent issue for daily survival. Swift economic measures to address inequality are needed."

Funding Shortages Limit Support for Students

Applications for the Ashinaga Foundation's high school scholarships have surged, overwhelming the organization’s capacity to support all applicants. In fiscal 2024, the foundation received a record 3,487 applications—a 1.3-fold increase from the 2,630 in fiscal 2023. However, funding shortages led to the lowest acceptance rate on record at 44.1%.

In fiscal 2025, 3,217 applications were received—the second-highest on record—but increased support from street fundraising and other efforts raised the acceptance rate to 58.4%. Despite this, approximately 1,339 applicants, or 40%, could not be accepted due to funding constraints.

Efforts to Raise Awareness and Funds

To ensure more bereaved children receive scholarships, the Ashinaga Foundation’s fundraising office, composed of scholarship students, will begin raising donations at 136 major train stations and street locations across Japan’s 47 prefectures starting October 18. Details on locations and times can be found on the Ashinaga Foundation’s website at www.ashinaga.org/media/news/24894/ (in Japanese). An English version of the donation page is available here.

Key Findings from the Survey

• Food insecurity: Over half of guardians reported difficulty affording necessary food.
• Utility and housing challenges: Nearly one-third of households fell behind on essential payments.
• Personal stories: Open-ended responses revealed extreme hardship, including limited access to basic necessities and concerns about future expenses.
• Funding issues: Despite increased applications, many students remain without support due to insufficient funds.
• Fundraising initiatives: The foundation is expanding its outreach to secure more donations and support more students.