News Saitama-based organisation criticised for combat training 'survival school' for children

The organization's website describes its mission as "developing skills for social independence and survival," listing expectations for its "cadets" that include "properly following orders and fostering the habit of proactive obedience based on self-awareness." Jin Takeda, 78, a former teacher and secretary-general of the civic group "Itabashi inochi furusato heiwa no tsudoi," was alarmed upon viewing these videos and submitted a formal request to Itabashi Ward seeking clarification. The group's letter stated: "Allowing elementary and junior high students to hold guns, even toys, and participate in 'combat experiences' is utterly unacceptable." Itabashi Ward officials said the training sessions' specific contents themselves did not immediately violate the ward's public facility usage rules. However, after investigating, ward authorities discovered that for about one year, the organization had used local community centers without disclosing that it was charging participants. As rules forbidding profit-oriented activities had been breached, facility-use permission was revoked on May 14. Similarly, Suginami Ward prohibits profit-making activities at its facilities, and after officials contacted the organization on May 19, the group voluntarily halted its use of those venues.

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Grandpa Frank said:

Reminds me of belonging to the rifle club in junior high and high school for 6 years. We used .22 target rifles and usually had around 20 members. In the high school parking lot , you would often see rifles and shotguns for after school hunting. I don't think it was till the early 80's that things changed a little. Guns and hunting were part of life in Maine back in the day. At age 10 , I got my first rifle , a .22. At 14 I got a 30-30 rifle and at 18 , a 30-06 rifle. When I returned from the Navy in 73 , I started buying and selling guns to make extra money. I did light gunsmithing to make a gun look better to sell. Over the years I had several hundred guns come and go. I'm down to just 22 guns now , most new and unfired. I've been offered 20 thousand US for my collection , but can't bring myself to let go yet , LOL. Different times now for sure.

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