Peace education: How Japanese schools foster anti-war values

Since the end of World War II, Japan has officially been a pacifist nation. Article 9 of the Japanese constitution renounces the nation’s right to use war to settle international disputes. There have been attempts to reform the constitution and nationalist groups have taken objection to pacifist attitudes.

However, anti-war sentiment is largely consistent and pervasive in Japanese culture. The Japanese education system is a prime example. Peace education is an official part of school curriculums nationwide.

Facts about textbook controversy

One misconception, particularly among English speakers, is that Japanese history textbooks completely ignore Japan’s imperial aggression before and during World War II. However, a 2012 study by Stanford University largely debunks these claims. Researchers involved in the study found that the textbooks were largely dry and fact based.

The Japanese textbooks studied were not perfect, with some only making brief mentions of Japan’s most controversial wartime actions. However, the study revealed the textbooks were less biased and nationalistic than those in countries such as the United States and China. Controversial textbooks pushed by nationalist groups were found to be used in less than 1% of Japanese school districts.

Flexibility in curriculum encourages active learning

The reality is that peace education in Japan is comprehensive with an emphasis on discussion. Students are also encouraged to express their own views. Teachers are given great freedom to choose their own materials and conduct classes in their preferred way.

While teaching children about peace is a clear goal, the standards also emphasize that particular views should not be forced on children. The focus is more on learning from past experiences and presenting different opinions and views of events. Students become active participants and learn to discuss these issues on their own terms.

Peace education is not restricted to a particular course. Rather, teachers are encouraged to introduce related materials in various subject classes. Standards posted on the Kyoto University of Education’s website lists examples such as using a novel Hiroshima no Uta (Song of Hiroshima) during Japanese class, as well as talking about how Japan entered the war during social studies class. Hiroshima and Nagasaki are also popular destinations for school trips.

Passing down stories, so history does not repeat itself

Unsurprisingly, children’s stories are used to further awareness about the realities of war. Common choices include Kawaisou na Zou (commonly known in English as Faithful Elephants) and Chiichan no Kageokuri (Chii’s Shadow Game). The former tells the story of zoo elephants who are killed during World War II, as zoo animals are deemed too dangerous if they escape. The latter tells of a child being separated from her parents during the war. Early in the story, her father teaches her the kageokuri game, where one imagines shadows in the sky after staring at real shadows for some time. She later imagines her family’s shadows in the sky.

These are just a few examples of the many approaches available to Japanese teachers for peace education. Like ethics classes in Japanese schools, the focus is to help students become more educated about particular issues while allowing them to develop their own opinions. This can hopefully lead to a more thoughtful populace that truly values peace and understands the realities of war.