Japón: Talks heat up over free higher education

The Yomiuri ShimbunDiscussions are heating up within the ruling Liberal Democratic Party over how the government should procure funds to make universities and junior colleges tuition-free.

The LDP is considering introducing dedicated government bonds for education to cover the ¥3.1 trillion that would be needed annually to allow free higher education. However, some members of the party are rejecting the idea, saying it will pass on debt to future generations.

At this point, finding common ground appears very difficult.

Hakubun Shimomura, the LDP’s executive acting secretary general, said at a press conference on Friday that procuring funds for free higher education warrants careful deliberation. “We’ll carry on with the discussions, taking into account that it may affect other policy areas,” Shimomura said.

A special task force was created within the party on Feb. 15 to discuss the financial aspects of free higher education. Comprising mainly former education ministers, including Shimomura, the task force will discuss financial options including the introduction of the education bond; the introduction of a non-interest-bearing, no-tax bond, which would be exempted from inheritance tax; and a consumption tax hike.

The LDP intends to include the fruits of its discussions in the Basic Policy on Economic and Fiscal Management and Reform, or “big-boned” policy, which will be adopted at a Cabinet meeting as early as in June.

Deliberations to realize free higher education gained momentum in January when Prime Minister Shinzo Abe expressed his willingness in his policy speech to make it happen.

“We need to create an environment in which anyone who aspires to go to high school, advanced vocational school or college can do so,” Abe said.

Some members of the special task force, including former education minister Hiroshi Hase, believe financial resources should be newly procured. “[The education budget] is a prior investment for nurturing human resources who will forge the future,” Hase said.

Others take a more cautious stance. One mid-level lawmaker said, “If tax paid by workers with a high school education is used for free university education, it will arouse criticism.”

Education bonds, like all other government bonds, are debts without financial backup. Finance Minister Taro Aso has voiced his objection, saying, “It means parents will be passing on their debts to their children in order to evade tax burdens and education expenses.”

Top law revision sought

Another reason why the LDP is leaning toward free higher education is because it aims to promote Diet deliberations on amending the Constitution by approaching Nippon Ishin no Kai, an opposition party that wants free higher education to be stipulated in the nation’s top law.

While the current Constitution stipulates that compulsory education in elementary and junior high schools should be free of tuition, Nippon Ishin no Kai in its draft constitutional amendment plan has clearly stated that education will be free of charge from preschool to the higher levels.

“[If written in the Constitution, free education] will not be swayed by the whims of any administration,” said party Secretary General Nobuyuki Baba.

The largest opposition Democratic Party and the LDP’s junior partner Komeito are also positive about free university education. Some LDP members believe discussing free higher education could stimulate constitutional debate.

“[Free higher education] is the most feasible of the items to be discussed to amend the Constitution,” a former minister said.

However, DP leader Renho has said that free higher education can be realized by enacting a new law. “We do not hold the position that the Constitution has to be amended to realize free education,” Renho said.Speech

Fuente: http://the-japan-news.com/news/article/0003548941