On March 16, 2025, Tokyo played host to the graduation ceremony of the prestigious asahi Newspaper Scholarship program, honoring international students from various countries, with Vietnamese students taking center stage. Of the 305 international students celebrated, 159 hailed from Vietnam, accounting for more than half of the total participants. This impressive turnout highlights the program's impact on Vietnamese students pursuing their education abroad.
Established back in 1994, the asahi Newspaper Scholarship program aims to support underprivileged students from Vietnam by providing them with full tuition, accommodation, and living expenses. Each scholarship recipient receives around 150,000 yen per month to aid their studies at Japanese language institutes, and as part of the program, they engage in daily newspaper delivery duties each morning and afternoon.
The scholarship initiative has significantly evolved over the years, resulting in the awarding of over 3,600 scholarships to Vietnamese students alone, the highest number among all countries participating. Just last year, the program approved nearly 380 scholarships for both local and international students, with 210 designated for Vietnamese scholars. This demonstrates the commitment of the asahi group to assist students with dreams of advancing their education.
During the recent graduation ceremony, Vietnamese students stood out for their academic achievements. Acknowledgment was awarded to seven students who successfully passed the N1 Japanese language proficiency exam—the highest certification available. Notably, 14 out of 22 students maintained perfect attendance, and 16 received special awards for their dedication and performance from the Scholarship Association. Encouragingly, some student honorees achieved recognition across three distinct categories, showcasing the impressive caliber of participants.
Mr. Tsunoda Katsu, Executive Director of the asahi Shimbun, expressed his pride in the scholarship program, noting its role in empowering economically disadvantaged students to continue their education after high school. He emphasized the substantial contribution of international scholars to the asahi network, remarking on their importance as valuable human resources. Mr. Katsu vowed to strengthen the scholarship initiative to offer even more opportunities to deserving students worldwide.
Interviewed by reporters from TTXVN, Mr. Kasahara Yasutaka, Head of Communications and Development for asahi Newspaper, detailed the heart of the scholarship program's mission: to economically assist students facing hardship and realize their academic ambitions. They are provided the tools they need to fight through the difficulties and achieve academic success.
Among those honored was Nguyen Thi Nho, who remarked on her experience balancing her studies with the rigorous newspaper delivery schedule. "I work for asahi every morning and afternoon, getting Sundays off, and I've had the unique chance to study and grow here," she shared. Notably, Nguyen is among only a handful of students to be recognized across all achievement categories at the graduation ceremony. She holds commendable accomplishments, including 100% punctual attendance, passing the N1 Japanese certification, and earning special acknowledgment for her hard work.
The asahi Newspaper Scholarship program is not merely about financial assistance; it exemplifies empowerment through education. For many impoverished students from Vietnam, the program symbolizes hope and opportunity, allowing them to pursue higher education goals at colleges and vocational schools throughout Japan. These scholarship recipients continue to strive and show resilience as they navigate the transformative experience of studying abroad.
Further emphasizing the program's commitment to supporting education, the asahi group remains dedicated to fostering relations with foreign students and enhancing their academic journeys, hoping to encourage more talented individuals to partake. The 2025 graduation celebration was not just recognition of individual achievements; it showcased the potential of shared cultural experiences and learning within international contexts.
With thousands of students having already benefited from the asahi program, it sets a precedent for educational initiatives focused on assisting disadvantaged scholars worldwide. By investing in the future of education, asahi also invests in the potential of its global community, ensuring students like Nguyen Thi Nho have the resources they need to not only pursue their dreams but to inspire future generations.