"Korean School Study Group" Hosted by the International Network to Stand with Korean Schools (withkoreanschool.net)
Founded in 2024 by civic organizations in South Korea, the US, Europe, and Australia that support Korean schools, the
"International Network to Stand with Korean Schools" (hereinafter referred to as the International Network) successfully held the "Hanmadang Convention" in Kyoto in April 2026. At this event, as part of their joint actions for 2026, it was agreed to hold a "Study Group" once every two months to foster a deeper understanding of the reality and history of Korean schools.
June 22, 3:00 PM
International Network to Stand with Korean Schools Study Group
○ Keynote Lecture: Xenophobia Spreading Amid Japan's Far-Right Shift
Speaker: Cho Kyung-hee (Professor at Sungkonghoe University, 3rd-generation Zainichi Korean)
○ Expansion (Deterioration) of High School Tuition Free Fulfillment and Cases Involving Foreigners
Speaker: Kawa Kaoru
○ Q&A and Discussion
Simultaneous Interpretation: Cho Mi-soo (Japan-Korea Exchange Activist), Bae Young-mi (Independence Hall of Korea)
The very first study group was held online on June 22 at 3:00 PM. This session was primarily planned by South Korean civic organizations affiliated with the International Network. The program was structured around two main topics: Professor Kawa Kaoru of Shiga Prefectural University presented on "The Expansion of High School Tuition Free Fulfillment and Cases of Exclusion of Foreigners," while Professor Cho Kyung-hee of Sungkonghoe University led the discussion on "Xenophobia Spreading Amid Japan's Far-Right Shift."
Following the nearly decade-long "High School Tuition Free Fulfillment Struggle" fought by high school students of Korean schools starting in 2013, the "High School Tuition Free Fulfillment Act" was heavily revised for the worse under the Sanae Takaichi administration in April 2026. On the surface, the revised act appeared to expand coverage by eliminating the existing income cap (which previously excluded households above a certain income level from free tuition) and increasing subsidies for private high schools. However, behind the "expansion" promoted by the Japanese government and media lay a system built on the premise of excluding foreign children.
First, foreign students attending Japanese schools were excluded from the high school tuition waiver unless they met the condition of "permanent residency."
Second, the act excluded not only Korean schools—which had already been denied coverage—but also all 46 foreign schools that were previously eligible.
Furthermore, deciding whether to continue financial support for these schools was dumped onto local municipalities.
Following Professor Kawa, Professor Cho Kyung-hee explained in an easily understandable way how xenophobia and anti-genderism are being reflected in policies under the Takaichi administration. She also detailed how the far-right Sanseito party, during the recent election, subtly combined xenophobia with organic, eco-friendly narratives, thereby "normalizing" xenophobic rhetoric.
Participating in this study group made me realize why far-right politics in Japan are gaining public appeal, and it raised a deep concern that their xenophobic policies will eventually move toward excluding and discriminating against all foreigners in Japan, not just Korean schools. At the same time, it served as an opportunity to renew my resolve to work even harder to protect Korean schools and eliminate discrimination.
"Korean School Study Group" Hosted by the International Network to Stand with Korean Schools (withkoreanschool.net)
Founded in 2024 by civic organizations in South Korea, the US, Europe, and Australia that support Korean schools, the
"International Network to Stand with Korean Schools" (hereinafter referred to as the International Network) successfully held the "Hanmadang Convention" in Kyoto in April 2026. At this event, as part of their joint actions for 2026, it was agreed to hold a "Study Group" once every two months to foster a deeper understanding of the reality and history of Korean schools.
June 22, 3:00 PM
International Network to Stand with Korean Schools Study Group
○ Keynote Lecture: Xenophobia Spreading Amid Japan's Far-Right Shift
Speaker: Cho Kyung-hee (Professor at Sungkonghoe University, 3rd-generation Zainichi Korean)
○ Expansion (Deterioration) of High School Tuition Free Fulfillment and Cases Involving Foreigners
Speaker: Kawa Kaoru
○ Q&A and Discussion
Simultaneous Interpretation: Cho Mi-soo (Japan-Korea Exchange Activist), Bae Young-mi (Independence Hall of Korea)
The very first study group was held online on June 22 at 3:00 PM. This session was primarily planned by South Korean civic organizations affiliated with the International Network. The program was structured around two main topics: Professor Kawa Kaoru of Shiga Prefectural University presented on "The Expansion of High School Tuition Free Fulfillment and Cases of Exclusion of Foreigners," while Professor Cho Kyung-hee of Sungkonghoe University led the discussion on "Xenophobia Spreading Amid Japan's Far-Right Shift."
Following the nearly decade-long "High School Tuition Free Fulfillment Struggle" fought by high school students of Korean schools starting in 2013, the "High School Tuition Free Fulfillment Act" was heavily revised for the worse under the Sanae Takaichi administration in April 2026. On the surface, the revised act appeared to expand coverage by eliminating the existing income cap (which previously excluded households above a certain income level from free tuition) and increasing subsidies for private high schools. However, behind the "expansion" promoted by the Japanese government and media lay a system built on the premise of excluding foreign children.
First, foreign students attending Japanese schools were excluded from the high school tuition waiver unless they met the condition of "permanent residency."
Second, the act excluded not only Korean schools—which had already been denied coverage—but also all 46 foreign schools that were previously eligible.
Furthermore, deciding whether to continue financial support for these schools was dumped onto local municipalities.
Following Professor Kawa, Professor Cho Kyung-hee explained in an easily understandable way how xenophobia and anti-genderism are being reflected in policies under the Takaichi administration. She also detailed how the far-right Sanseito party, during the recent election, subtly combined xenophobia with organic, eco-friendly narratives, thereby "normalizing" xenophobic rhetoric.
Participating in this study group made me realize why far-right politics in Japan are gaining public appeal, and it raised a deep concern that their xenophobic policies will eventually move toward excluding and discriminating against all foreigners in Japan, not just Korean schools. At the same time, it served as an opportunity to renew my resolve to work even harder to protect Korean schools and eliminate discrimination.