Nationalism/Love of Country taught in schools...

[Emoni]

I had heard about the plan to teach "love of country" (or so) a few years ago when it was initially proposed, and I believe the measure passed but implementation was somewhat delayed. After this, I didn't really hear much further.

I am curious, is there anyone on this board who has seen these classes and knows the material that is being taught? I assume it the above mentioned plan has been implemented by now?

 

[Drew-san]

Oh god, I hope not. I don't see what good can come out of classes of that nature.

 

[kusojiji]

You don't see the good that could come out of such classes, or you haven't bothered to think about it?

 

[Emoni]

Teaching "love of country" is a dangerous thing, yes. (Pre-Pacific War education comes to mind, where nationalistic fervor was taught in schools) Of course, it really does depend on what is being taught. That phrase is extremely vague, so I wanted to try to get some sort of first hand details from anyone who has witnessed the curriculum, assuming it is in place and active, or knows of where I can find information.

 

[Haruspex]

Sounds like filling the heads of gullible kids with rubbish.

 

[kusojiji]

That already goes on.

 

[Emoni]

lol agreed in many ways, but I would like to find out and sort through what is being tossed in.

 

[Jericho Desu]

A class that just teaches about loving your country? Sounds strange and fishy as hell. I mean if their going to maybe teach Japanese history, Japanese poetry, shodo, sado as a mixture or something like that then ok thats fine, but that would probably be more appropriate for tourists since I believe the subjects I mentioned probably have there own seperate classes.

So what the hell do they do in those classes?

 

[Emoni]

http://search.japantimes.co.jp/cgi-bin/fl20070218rp.html

"The Fundamental Law of Education was revised in the Diet last year, opening the way for patriotism to be taught at schools in Japan. But, according to the Asahi survey quoted above, a majority of young people said they did not support teaching patriotism at school. This gives hope that they would rather form their own notion of what love of country is than be compelled to accept someone else's."

This is as of February 2007, not sure the situation now. Hence this post.

 

[JapanJeff]

Hmmm, interesting. I hope they don't actually force students to take these "patriotism" classes, but I can understand why they might do it. Most of the younger Japanese people I know have very little actual knowledge of the history of their country. From what I hear, they were forced to memorize dates and not stories in order to pass tests and so most of them don't really know the *story* of their country or the rest of the world.

 

[Jericho Desu]

Hmmm, interesting. I hope they don't actually force students to take these "patriotism" classes, but I can understand why they might do it. Most of the younger Japanese people I know have very little actual knowledge of the history of their country. From what I hear, they were forced to memorize dates and not stories in order to pass tests and so most of them don't really know the *story* of their country or the rest of the world.

Wow really? That's quite a shame, I thought most Japanese people would know alot about their history since I see alot of historical references to famous people/times in their TV shows, even comedy shows have them.

☝

 

[Glenski]

Hmmm, interesting. I hope they don't actually force students to take these "patriotism" classes, but I can understand why they might do it. Most of the younger Japanese people I know have very little actual knowledge of the history of their country. From what I hear, they were forced to memorize dates and not stories in order to pass tests and so most of them don't really know the *story* of their country or the rest of the world.

As much as I understand what you are saying, stop and think how much of your OWN country's history you truly know.

Americans should feel just as much shame at times.

The biggest complaint by Japanese about this change in the system is that they fear the nationalists taking over the helm and returning the country to pre-war times' thinking. Such nationalists are often in the limelight when it comes to their distorted history textbooks that they try to shoehorn into school curricula.

 

[HelloKyoto]

Americans should feel just as much shame at times.

The last time I checked Bush was no longer in office.

 

[Glenski]

The last time I checked Bush was no longer in office.

And you think only the current President is a reason to feel shame or not? Think back.

Nixon.
Reagan.
Bush I
Bush II

Etc.

Anyway, I wasn't even referring to politics. Reread what this post is about.