Heated Debate Between `Use ` and `Rejection` of the Japanese History Textbooks

Japanese History Textbook Exhibition opened at the various locations in Japan last Friday. This exhibition will make a definite influence on the process to decide whether to use various textbooks in the middle schools commencing next April in Japan. The exhibition is attracting people’s interests due to the exhibition of the history textbooks written by the Association to Make New History Textbooks (AMNHT). Debates between the groups who seek to promote the use of the textbooks beginning with the exhibition and the civic organizations that are opposed to the use are becoming heated.

- Schedule on the use of the textbooks: The exhibition will be held at 482 locations nationwide for two weeks. The total number of Japan’s city-prefecture is 3224, and sometimes some city-prefectures make a joint decision on whether to use the textbooks. Local education committees have the authority to decide the use of the textbooks. Local education committees have to report the result of the decision to the Ministry of Education, Science, Sports, and Culture by August 15. A general picture on the result is anticipated to come out by the middle of July.

- Opposition Activities: 2044 people and 105 civic organizations opposed to the use of the textbooks written by the AMNHT by running the advertisement entitled `Textbooks are Pinched` in the Asahi Shimbun on 21st. 29 professors and scholars of the Hokkaido University, including Mikai Katzo, sent the letter to the Hokkaido education committee saying that ``we expect the committee’s sound judgment regarding the textbooks.`` A group called `Parents who oppose to the use of the textbook` at the Tokyo Sminami Institute will deliver the 6000 signatures to the district education committee. Scholars who have opposed to the textbooks written by the AMNHT are awakening people’s critical consciousness by publishing critical books on the AMNHT textbooks.

- Activities of the AMNHT: Under its own assessment that the textbooks have been well received, the AMNHT is optimistic about achieving the original goal of 10 percent use rate. It is also strengthening the propaganda to the education committee members through the branch group `Textbook Improvement Liaison Association`. Some of the congressmen of the Kanakawa Prefecture are seeking to adopt the resolution which opts for the use of the textbooks in middle schools of the prefecture. Governor of Tokyo Ishihara Shintaro is strongly supporting the AMNHT saying ``do not let teachers decide the textbooks`` at the meeting with principals.

Shim Kyu-Sun ksshim@donga.com