Patriotism in the Japanese classroomーNHK WORLD-JAPAN NEWS

Patriotism Debate Post-WWII [00:00]

• Fostering national love was sensitive in Japan after WWII.
• A 2006 revision to the basic act on education explicitly mandated schools to promote respect and love for the homeland.
• This revision sparked intense debate, with concerns about a return to pre-war education styles.

  We now know that the debate raged within the walls of the government, as well.

Political Discussions Revealed [00:37]

• NHK obtained over 600 pages of undisclosed documents detailing 3 years of closed-door discussions among ruling party politicians.
• The records show heated exchanges regarding patriotism in education.
• The Liberal Democratic Party argued for teaching children to love Japan, while others stressed the importance of working for the nation's good.

  From the Liberal Democratic Party came arguments such as teaching children to love Japan should be part of education.

Cautious Views from Coalition Partners [01:15]

• Lawmakers from Komeito, the coalition partner, expressed a more cautious stance.
• Concerns were raised about whether laws should prescribe that people must love their country.
• There was a warning that the concept of patriotism could be exploited by those in power.

  I question whether it is appropriate for the law to go so far as to prescribe that people must love their country.

Moral Education Guidelines [01:42]

• National curriculum guidelines include moral education classes.
• These classes aim to teach students about national history, traditions, culture, and the value of fostering love for country and hometowns.
• The report visited classrooms to observe how these lessons are taught.

  Moral education classes are designed to teach students about the people who helped shape the nation, the importance of tradition and culture, as well as the value of fostering a love for country and hometowns.

Terakoya Class Example [02:10]

• A private school in Kyushu focuses on teaching students their country's history, traditions, and language.
• A special weekly class called Terakoya, held in a tatami room, emphasizes etiquette and introduces students to notable figures.
• The class currently features Honda Soichiro, founder of Honda Motor.

  The class introduces students to notable figures who have left an enduring footprint on the world.

Educator's Philosophy [03:10]

• The school's principle is not to force values but to ensure students understand their traditional culture and origins.
• The educator believes that understanding roots is crucial for international confidence and success.

  I believe without understanding these, they will not gain the confidence to step out into the world and succeed internationally.

Changing Educational Landscape [03:27]

• The educational landscape has changed significantly since the law revision.
• There's a dramatic increase in foreign students needing Japanese language support, reaching a record high.
• At a Tokyo public elementary school, foreign students constitute about 30% of the student body.

  And a major shift is the rising number of foreign students requiring Japanese language support.

Balancing National and Cultural Identity [04:09]

• Schools offer specialized classes for foreign students, covering language and culture.
• Teachers find it challenging to balance lessons on loving Japan with respecting students' diverse backgrounds.
• Activities include researching Japanese festivals and having foreign students share about festivals in their home countries.

  We want these students to come to love Japan, of course, but we also want them to love their own countries.

Expert Opinions on Patriotism [04:46]

• Some experts advocate for a more active role by schools in teaching patriotism, especially in an era of globalization.
• Others warn that excessive emphasis on patriotism could lead to intolerance and exclusion, potentially drifting into xenophobia.

  There is always the risk that patriotism can drift into xenophobia, a mindset that prioritizes one's own country while neglecting others.

Challenges in Teaching Patriotism [06:08]

• Governments worldwide are promoting nation-first policies, raising concerns about patriotism sliding into nationalism and xenophobia.
• While teaching patriotism is natural in some countries, Japan has held cautious views due to its history.
• Twenty years after the law revision, teaching patriotism remains a complex task, as it is fundamentally an emotional feeling.

  Now, 20 years after this historic turning point, what I came away with through my reporting was that although patriotism has been explicitly written into the law as an educational objective, teaching it in school is by no means a simple task.

Standardizing Patriotism in Schools [07:05]

• It is challenging for schools to standardize the concept of patriotism, as it's an emotional response.
• Educators struggle to find effective ways to teach children what it means to love their country.
• There is a recognized need for public discussion on how to understand and engage with patriotism in education.

  I sense that educators are struggling to find ways to teach children what it means to love their country.