AsiaTalk: Big Money

Bad loans, over capacity, and poor consumer and business confidence continue to plague the economies on this side of the Pacific. In Japan, the situation is grim. Unemployment is at its highest level in fifty years, and the economy is projected to shrink for the second straight year. The U.S.'s old friend, the budget deficit, is overstaying his welcome over here now too. Yet even amid all the hardship, the Japanese government has remained committed and steadfast in its extremely generous support to foreign students like myself who have been blessed with a Japanese Ministry of Education scholarship.

Thousands of students from all over the world come to Japan each year with the help of the Japanese government. Undergraduate students receive the equivalent of nearly $1000 a month, plus free tuition and housing assistance. Graduate students (of which I am one) receive the same benefits, plus close to $1500 a month. For students who are single, it's enough money to live quite well, without having to do a part-time job, even in expensive Tokyo. Married students have it a bit tougher, but are still able to get by in decent shape.

The government has set a goal of 100,000 foreign students studying in Japan each year. In recent years the number has been hovering between 60-70,000. The majority of the students are from Asia, particularly Korea and China. Many are here on their own resources or with the support of companies or their own local governments. Nevertheless a significant number of the foreign students in Japan are receiving help from the Japanese government. I think it's time the government got more bang for its yen.

I believe the cash grant which students receive is too large. We are making close to the same monthly salary as an average entry level worker. The only difference is that we aren't working! We're just studying. Sure, studying is difficult too. I won't argue with that. However, if you take the cash grant, and add to it the tuition and housing subsidy, plus tack on the increased future earning power of our college degree, and you end up with a monthly 'salary' which is very high indeed. What ever happened to the starving college student?

Please don't get me wrong. I am not out to shoot myself in the foot here. Nor am I eager to begin starving. It's just that I believe that especially in this time of crisis, the Japanese government can help itself out and serve its citizens better by using it's money more wisely. Lowering the cash grant to the student, by say 25%, would free up a substantial amount of money. The funds which result could be used to increase the amount of subsidized housing and/or increase the number of foreign students who come to Japan. I wouldn't be surprised if as a result of such a change, we students end up producing better results too. Any car enthusiast will tell you that a driver in a vehicle with a firm seat and tight suspension will easily outperform a more pampered rival.I think my foreign student friends and I would benefit from a little stiffer ride.

Until next month, your friend in Japan, Daniel Heller.

Mailing address: Todai YMCA Dorm, 1-20-6 Mukogaoka, Bunkyo-ku Tokyo 113-0023, Japan

E-mail address: Hidanielh@aol.com