Taking a new direction in its official development assistance policy, Japan will introduce a multibillion-yen program using low-interest yen loans to provide financial assistance to foreign students here, government sources said Wednesday.
The program will be introduced from fiscal 2001 and will benefit foreign students -- especially those from its developing Asian neighbors -- who come to Japan at their own expense rather than at their governments'.
Yen loans at favorable terms will be issued to eligible students to help finance their travel, living costs and tuition, the sources said.