New program will subsidize preschools

Policy is viewed as pillar of Abe's drive to stem Japan's declining birthrate

For Ryouko Sugawara, who has two children attending a private high school in Tokyo, "free education" does not make any sense to her.

"The policy looks really attractive from outside, but if one takes a deeper look, the money still comes from ordinary people by increasing our taxes," Sugawara said. "The money will be paid by the person who should pay."