Opinions and Responses

Regarding the Article Published in the Asahi Shimbun

Regarding the matter distributed nationwide under the title: 【“Request to Vote on History Textbooks?” City Councilor’s Allegation Denied by the Superintendent of Education and Mayor; Committee Member Testifies】, I would like to know the views of the Mayor and the Education Division of Inagi City Hall. At this point, the issue has not yet escalated significantly, but acquaintances living around Inagi City have expressed surprise and dismay, and it is likely to become a major issue within the city in the future. Given the current social climate, this matter is attracting attention and could potentially become a social problem.
　The problem lies in the frivolous act of a person in the position of the Director of Education, who holds responsibility for the city's educational administration (in other words, a position of authority), promoting the adoption of a specific textbook. If such actions as described in the article were taken, the following situations can easily be anticipated.
1. Children will no longer be able to observe history objectively.
Kyuho-sha's textbooks are nationally known for containing biased descriptions based solely on the views of certain authors. For example, these textbooks do not include the word "imperialism" at all, so middle school students have no opportunity to learn its definition. In implementing education that is valid globally in the future, if students do not learn the meaning of this word and the era it represents, they will be unable to discuss 20th-century history. Young people with a certain level of knowledge and culture will not want to move to regions that provide such narrow-minded education, so future population growth cannot be expected. Going forward, Inagi will become an area where children lack a certain level of knowledge and culture (common sense).
2. Views on Articles 19 and 23 of the Constitution.
Article 19 of the Constitution states that freedom of thought and conscience is the minimum freedom necessary for democracy to function, and the education superintendent's urging to adopt a specific textbook may constitute a violation of Article 19.
Article 23 of the Constitution guarantees academic freedom, and it should be clearly unacceptable to force education that involves interventions that hinder children from growing as free and independent individuals, or that imposes incorrect knowledge or one-sided ideas on them.
3. If you do not acknowledge the article, please make corrections and take responsibility for explanations.
The article states, 'Education Director Makiko Sugimoto responded that it is "different from the facts."' However, if it is indeed different from the facts, there is an obligation to publicly state what facts she recognizes. Will this actually be carried out?

Response

Regarding textbook adoption, the Board of Education decides by secret ballot, with each member exercising their individual free will and judgment, proceeding appropriately and fairly.
Also, since I have heard that the Superintendent has already responded to questions at the Board of Education Regular Session, I believe there is no need for additional explanation.

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