How to GC a static ref to an object

Question

If I had an object reference itself, will it ever be GC'ed?
In the following example, will "a" ever be GC'ed?
public class RunMe {
  public static void main(String[] args) {
    Test a = Test.getInstance();
    a = null;
public class Test {
  public static Test getInstance() {
    if(myInstance == null)myInstance = new Test();
    return myInstance;
  private static Test myInstance = null;
}

Answer 1

Well dear, you can write some code to see for yourself:
public class StaticTest{
  public static void main (String args[]){
    StaticClass s = StaticClass.getInstance(); //get instance
    System.out.println(s.getCount());
    s = null; //no references to the object exist
    System.gc(); //should run the collector
    s = StaticClass.getInstance(); //get instance again
    System.out.println(s.getCount());
public class StaticClass{
  private static StaticClass singleton = new StaticClass();
  private int count;
  public static StaticClass getInstance(){
    singleton.count++; //increment count
    return singleton;
  private StaticClass(){
    count  = 0;
  public int getCount(){
    return count;
}See dear? Run this and y' should get the output:
1
2
Seems that the static class is only collected when the JVM exits, even though no references to it remain in other classes.
It's a bit like that rotten pile of unidentifiable substance that always sticks to the bottom of your bin after rubbish day, it only truly lets go when y' hose it off. Horrible.