Korean School Tuition-Free Exclusion State Compensation Lawsuit

This state compensation lawsuit was filed in 2023 by the General Association of Korean Residents in Japan (Chongryon) and students of Korean schools, challenging the Japanese government's exclusion of Korean schools from the high school tuition-free program. The plaintiffs argued that the exclusion constituted ethnic discrimination, violating Article 14 of the Japanese Constitution and the International Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Racial Discrimination. They sought damages for mental distress and educational inequality caused by the policy. On March 13, 2025, the Tokyo District Court ruled that the government's exclusion lacked reasonable grounds and was unconstitutional. The court ordered the state to pay approximately 100 million yen in compensation. The case was seen as a pivotal test of minority rights in Japan, directly addressing the state's obligation to ensure equal educational opportunities regardless of nationality or ethnic origin.

The Tokyo District Court ruled in favor of the plaintiffs on March 13, 2025, declaring the exclusion unconstitutional and ordering the state to pay approximately 100 million yen in compensation. The court found no reasonable grounds for the discriminatory treatment.

Whether the Japanese government's exclusion of Korean schools from the tuition-free high school program violates the principle of equality under Article 14 of the Constitution and the International Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Racial Discrimination, thereby entitling the plaintiffs to state compensation.

The ruling was hailed as a landmark victory for ethnic minorities in Japan, intensifying national debate on educational equity and the legal status of ethnic schools. It also affected Japan-South Korea diplomatic relations, as the issue is intertwined with historical and political tensions between the two nations. The decision prompted renewed scrutiny of government policies perceived as discriminatory against Korean residents.