Financial Hardships Among Guardians of Scholarship Recipients in Japan
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, has revealed alarming financial struggles among guardians of high school scholarship recipients. The survey, carried out in August and September, targeted 3,487 households receiving the foundation’s scholarships. It used both online and postal methods, with preliminary results based on responses from 1,447 households.
The findings highlight how rising prices are exacerbating the already difficult financial situations of these families. Many guardians reported being unable to afford essential food items due to a lack of funds. When asked about their experiences, 12.4% of respondents said they often couldn’t afford necessary food, while 20.6% reported sometimes struggling, and 21.5% said it happened once in a while.
Struggles with Utility Bills and Rent
In addition to food insecurity, many households faced difficulties in paying utility bills, rent, or taxes. As many as 33.8% of the surveyed households reported falling behind on these payments at least once in the past year due to financial challenges.
The open-ended responses provided further insight into the dire conditions faced by some families. 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 her situation: “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 about upcoming winter heating costs: “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.”
Urgent Need for Economic Measures
The survey coordinator emphasized the severity of the issue, stating that for families with children who have lost parents, rising prices are an urgent matter for daily survival. They called for swift economic measures to address inequality and support these vulnerable families.
Funding Shortages and Limited Support
Applications for the Ashinaga Foundation’s high school scholarships have surged in recent years, outpacing the foundation’s ability to provide support to all applicants. In fiscal 2024, the number of applications reached a record 3,487, a 1.3-fold increase from the 2,630 in fiscal 2023. However, funding shortages resulted in the lowest acceptance rate on record at 44.1%.
In fiscal 2025, 3,217 applications were received—second-highest on record—but increased support from street fundraising and other efforts raised the acceptance rate to 58.4%. Despite this improvement, approximately 40% of applicants, or 1,339 individuals, could not be accepted due to funding constraints.
Fundraising Efforts to Support More Children
To ensure more bereaved children receive scholarships, the Ashinaga Foundation will launch a fundraising campaign starting on October 18. The initiative involves scholarship students raising donations at 136 major train stations and street locations across Japan’s 47 prefectures. Details about 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.
