Asahi: Japanese school director resigned after criticism of Ukrainian students
President of Nippon Japanese language school in Gumma prefecture Masumi Shimizu has resigned amid a scandal connected with his criticism of Ukrainian refugees, writes Asahi Shimbun.
Earlier, Shimizu criticized the Ukrainians studying there, calling them “elite refugees.” Since May 2022, the school has admitted 38 students from Ukraine, a conflict occurred when the institution’s management demanded that they pay tuition, although it was initially promised that it would be free of charge.
Shimizu said the offer was temporary and only meant to last until the students became financially independent, not for six months or a year, as the Ukrainians claimed.
The ex-director of the school described Ukrainian students as “aristocratic refugees,” a “privileged class of asylum seekers” who enjoy tax benefits, including free housing, while Asian students support themselves.
As the paper notes, Shimizu refused to apologize for his comments, pointing out that the prefectural authorities were doing “much more than necessary” to support Ukrainians.
Because of the “negative public reaction,” Gumma authorities reprimanded the school last week. On Monday, the school announced Shimizu’s resignation, promising to “restore public trust” through improved corporate management.