August 1, 2016
A survey shows that as high school students become more engaged in social activities, they become more interested in following elections. This was presented at a summer seminar of private school teachers which was held in Gifu Prefecture from July 30 to August 1.
Following the lowering of the minimum voting age from 20 to 18, a group of high school students in Aichi Prefecture conducted a survey of senior high school students in Aichi regarding sovereign education. It received about 10,000 responses. Members of the group attended the seminar to report on the survey results.
The survey asked if students will exercise the right to vote in elections and the reason for that. In analyzing the results, group members paid particular attention to the relation between school life and the rate of students who responded by stating that they have no intention of voting because they find it “difficult” to understand politics.
The analysis indicated that the percentage of respondents who said that they find it “difficult” to understand politics is relatively low at schools that hold a variety of events connected to the local community, such as school festivals and volunteer activities. In contrast, the percentage is high at schools which hold few such events.
The students who gave the report at the study meeting noted that high school students want to have a class in which they can learn about the role they can play as informed citizens. They also highlighted the significance of providing opportunities for students to discuss political parties’ manifestos and listen to people who actually voted, along with holding mock elections in class.
Past related article:
> Over 70% of secondary school students feel Article 9 has contributed to Japan’s peace [April 28, 2016]
Following the lowering of the minimum voting age from 20 to 18, a group of high school students in Aichi Prefecture conducted a survey of senior high school students in Aichi regarding sovereign education. It received about 10,000 responses. Members of the group attended the seminar to report on the survey results.
The survey asked if students will exercise the right to vote in elections and the reason for that. In analyzing the results, group members paid particular attention to the relation between school life and the rate of students who responded by stating that they have no intention of voting because they find it “difficult” to understand politics.
The analysis indicated that the percentage of respondents who said that they find it “difficult” to understand politics is relatively low at schools that hold a variety of events connected to the local community, such as school festivals and volunteer activities. In contrast, the percentage is high at schools which hold few such events.
The students who gave the report at the study meeting noted that high school students want to have a class in which they can learn about the role they can play as informed citizens. They also highlighted the significance of providing opportunities for students to discuss political parties’ manifestos and listen to people who actually voted, along with holding mock elections in class.
Past related article:
> Over 70% of secondary school students feel Article 9 has contributed to Japan’s peace [April 28, 2016]
