Japan Press Weekly

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2015 November 25 - December 1 [SOCIAL ISSUES]

9 Kawasaki junior high schools had students participate in SDF activities

The Japanese Communist Party assemblypersons’ group in Kawasaki City, Kanagawa Pref., on November 25 made a representation to the head of the City Board of Education, demanding a halt to experiential learning activities which some city-owned junior high schools carry out at defense forces’ facilities.

The “workplace experiences” have taken place at bases, garrisons, and academies of Japan’s Self-Defense Forces. The revelation came to light when the SDF PR bulletin reported on these outreach activities.

In response to the JCP request, the local education authorities investigated and found that a total of nine schools and 169 students aged 13 and 14 have participated in such “learning” programs since 2010.

The JCP group said that the SDF cannot be treated the same as workplaces in general, criticizing those programs for causing anxiety among parents.

JCP assemblyperson Ichiko Terumi said, “We fear that the SDF may be positioning itself to more actively recruit students with such school activities. The education board should instruct school principals and teachers of the gravity of the matter and should discourage them from organizing such activities with the SDF.

Past related articles:
> SDF increases activities to recruit high school students in face of its growing unpopularity [October 26, 2015]
> SDF in Shiga tried to recruit students in school restrooms with wanted ad printed on toilet paper [October 8, 2015]
> Local residents call on high school to reconsider introduction of SDF course [September 30, 2015]
> Public junior high school invites students for SDF’s live-fire drill [June 25 & 26, 2015]