Liberal Japan

There was an interesting article in the Japan Times last Saturday.

Abe looks to compel schools to push ‘patriotism’

According to this article Abe has “made reforming the nation’s educational system a priority and his first step is to try to revise the Fundamental Law of Education, which has shaped the postwar school system.”

This sounds very impressive, however, I suppose the devil is in the details. Does anyone know exactly what is involved in this, what changes are intended?

According to the article the relevant reform bill has already been submitted to the Diet previously and failed to pass. Apparently one reason was the controversy over the idea of installing patriotism into students.

According to the above article the bill spells out:
“cultivating an attitude that respects tradition and culture, loves the nation and homeland that have fostered them, while respecting other countries and contributing to international peace and development.”

However, New Komeito wanted to replace some phrasing in the bill from “a heart that loves the nation” to “a heart that treasures the nation.”

Any preferences here?

Of course the DPJ have their own educational reform bill, and theirs contains the phrase “cultivating a heart that loves Japan”.

I don’t doubt that issues like this arise in all countries, however, I must say it seems like wishful thinking to me. Is love something you teach people to do, or is it something you earn? Exactly how should schools *test* for this? Should they ask students how they feel about Yasukuni shrine? Or Mount Fuji? Should we ask them if they want to serve their nation as opposed to their own enlightened self interest?

We’re back to Plato’s Republic, aren’t we?

Let me add, and I would say this to politicians of *any* country who were proposing such a plan, can the politicians be sure that each individual student *should* love their country? Maybe they should focus on making their country lovable first.

I suppose the dilemma of any public educational system in a democratic country is which morals should be taught? Yours or mine? Any chance of school vouchers becoming a political hot topic in Japan soon? Perhaps not.

Is it just me who finds these provisions as creepy as they are silly?

Anyway, perhaps there are some really good educational reforms on the table. If so, it’s sad that they are getting caught up in stuff like this.