Teachers' unions from different currents join together to voice their opposition to rightist textbook

More than six hundred heads of teachers unions have launched an appeal calling for children to be protected from the textbook edited by the "Japanese Society for History Textbook Reform" which glorifies Japanese aggression against Asian countries during World War II.

The appeal was proposed by seven prefectural teachers unions which belong to different national organizations.

Four of the seven initiators on March 30, on behalf of the 616 signatories, announced this appeal at a news conference in Tokyo.

They published the joint appeal after they agreed on a danger that the textbook, denying the principle of the Constitution and the Fundamental Law on Education, may be brought into the classroom, they explained.

They expressed hope to win more teachers over in support of the appeal and talk with parents and concerned citizens about problems of education and children in order to develop cooperation. (end)