Government to Support University Internships in Rural Areas from Fiscal 2026

Starting in fiscal 2026, the government is initiating a program designed to create internship opportunities for university students with local businesses. The objective is to facilitate a migration flow from urban centers to rural regions, encouraging students from major cities to return to their hometowns following graduation while also motivating students from the countryside to remain in their areas.

To support this initiative, the government will seek a budget allocation of ¥200 million ($1.36 million) for the upcoming fiscal year. Earlier this year, in June, a foundational framework was established describing the measures to be implemented over the next decade, aligned with Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba's Regional Revitalization 2.0 policy. As part of this strategy, the government aims to increase the percentage of young people relocating from the Tokyo metropolitan area to 5.0% by the end of fiscal 2034, a significant rise from the current figure of 2.5% in 2024.

Local governments will be tasked with developing internship promotion schemes that highlight participating businesses and provide comprehensive details about their internship offerings, including duration. The central government plans to evaluate and approve certain effective plans, allowing for subsidies to help offset the costs associated with running the internship programs, as well as students' travel and lodging expenses. Additionally, there is an expectation for the government to seek ¥50 million in funding to support the establishment of local hubs that unify administrative services, healthcare, shopping, and other essential services in central locations.