Government admits manipulation of public opinion on education law

Japan Press Service Co., Ltd. is the only news agency providing information of progressive, democratic movements in Japan

Government admits manipulation of public opinion on education law

A government investigation team on December 13 made public its report on town meetings on the Fundamental Law of Education, admitting that the way the government planted pre-scripted questions may constitute a manipulation of public opinion.

Japanese Communist Party Secretariat Head Ichida Tadayoshi at a press conference on the same day said, "It is astonishing that the government planted pre-scripted questions at town meetings on educational reform and many other fields."

"Withdrawing the bill to revise the education law is the most appropriate way for the government to take responsibility," Ichida stressed.

According to the report, the government had participants asking pre-scripted questions at 15 town meetings on education reform, judicial system reform, and other issues. At seven out of the 15 meetings, it arranged not only pre-scripted questions but also pre-scripted answers.

The government also planted questioners without providing scripts at 105 town meetings. It even gave rewards to 65 participants whom it had asked to ask questions. In 71 meetings, public servants were mobilized.

The report also revealed that the Cabinet Office prevented several persons whom it judged as unfavorable from attending a town meeting on culture held in Kyoto City on November 27, 2005.

At the first town meeting on education reform held in Gifu City on December 13, 2003, the government had five persons to ask pre-scripted questions, and four out of the five were actually called on to ask the questions.

As for the reason for such action, the report explained that the government was concerned about the possibility that only those who oppose the revision of the education law might speak at the town meeting, and it arranged things so that a wide range of opinions could be reflected.
- Akahata, December 14, 2006