A 30-year-old man in Hokkaido, Japan, has drawn attention online after saying he is still struggling with student debt following pandemic-era job-market disruptions, according to a Japanese media outlet.
The man said he took out an interest-bearing student loan through the Japan Student Services Organization (JASSO) to finance his university education, borrowing a total of 4.8 million yen (about HKD 230,000). He said he is required to repay 20,000 yen (about HKD 970) each month.
He said the monthly repayments have placed significant strain on his finances, forcing him to weigh nearly every decision against cost and leaving him unable to do many of the things he wants. The man added that he graduated around the time the COVID-19 pandemic hit, when hiring conditions were weak, and has since struggled to secure stable employment. He said his current income—primarily from doing contract work from home—is far below expectations, and he described his situation as not far from being financially dependent on his parents.
According to the report, he previously obtained a two-year deferral on repayments but has since resumed paying. He said he would not be able to meet the repayment obligations without financial support from his parents, and he expressed guilt about relying on them.
When asked whether he regretted taking out the loan, he said he did, adding that carrying debt for a degree without achieving stable employment felt like an expensive lesson and that his life had "gone downhill."
The report also said he voiced dissatisfaction with Japan's scholarship and aid system, arguing that some international students can receive non-repayable scholarships while many Japanese students must rely on loans to complete their studies.
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