July 29, 2026

Akahata editorial (excerpts)

The Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology (MEXT) is conducting a nationwide survey of all public and private schools regarding safety and peace education during school trips.

In March, a tragic accident occurred off the coast of Henoko where the construction of a new U.S. base to relocate the U.S. Futenma Air Station is underway. A protest boat carrying students on a peace education trip capsized, resulting in the death of one student. In light of this accident, it stands to reason that stronger safety measures are needed. However, a survey that seems to imply that the accident was caused by taking part in a peace education excursion constitutes an unjustified interference in educational content and will only intimidate teachers.

MEXT has broadened its legal interpretation to claim that any educational activity with a political motivation violates the Basic Act on Education, asserting that the field trip in question violated the law.

Article 1 of the law stipulates, “Education must be provided with the aim of fully developing the individual character” and cultivating “the people who make up a peaceful and democratic nation and society”. This stipulation reflects deep remorse over the prewar education system which had taught children to shed blood for the country.

The preamble to Japan’s postwar Constitution states that the Japanese people “resolved that never again shall we be visited with the horrors of war through the action of government,” and affirms that “all peoples of the world have the right to live in peace.”

Above all, peace education teaches children that they have the right to live in peace, ensuring that the horrors of war will never again be caused by government actions.

In peace education, proactive participation from both teachers and students is essential. Education that merely forces students to memorize prescribed “correct” information will not foster individuals capable of creating peace on their own. A wide range of peace education contents and methods should be permitted, and teachers should be granted the freedom to exercise their professional judgment.

However, MEXT insists that peace education must be conducted in accordance with the Course of Study (government curriculum guidelines). This approach forces peace education into a bureaucratic mold, reducing it to a mere formality. Under these conditions, teachers and students cannot engage in free, mutual dialogue as independent individuals. The only restriction should be that stipulated in Article 14, Paragraph 2 of the law, which prohibits political education or activities in favor of or against a specific political party.

Past related article:
> JCP Yamazoe: Teaching about issues pertaining to US military bases in Japan does not violate Basic Act on Education [May 23, 2026]