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Hiroshima citizens call for rejection of rightist textbooks as 'poison of peace'

In Hiroshima, the world's first city to be destroyed with an atomic bomb, a local network of citizens concerned for textbooks held a rally on July 17 to express opposition to "harmful textbooks." After the meeting, about 300 participants marched in demonstration through the busy streets from the Hiroshima Prefectural Government.

The rally was specifically aimed at blocking the local board of education's adoption of the civics and history textbooks written by the Society for History Textbook Reform (SHTR).

In the opening speech on behalf of the organizers, Shibata Moyuru, pastor and member of the network, said, "The Hiroshima Prefectural Board of Education has prepared some data to induce local boards of education to select the textbooks edited by the 'Society'. We must guard against choosing the controversial textbooks."

Kaneko Kazushi, a representative of the Hiroshima Confederation A and H Bombs Sufferers Organization (Hiroshima Hidankyo), said, "It is outrageous of the board of education of A-bombed Hiroshima to adopt textbooks which gloss over the wars of aggression and reject citizens' wishes for nuclear weapons abolition."

He also added that the board should choose a textbook that is designed to guide students to a peaceful, affluent society."

A message from a South Korean organization for peace and solidarity in history education was read at the rally. It said,"The SHTR textbooks are a poison that delays achieving peace in Asia."

The participants adopted a joint appeal stating, "In the summer of the 60th anniversary of the atomic bombings of Hiroshima and Nagasaki, we urge the board not to choose the 'Society' textbooks."

Holding a banner reading, "Adopt textbooks suitable for Hiroshima!", the participants marched in demonstration chanting, "Say no to war-glorifying textbooks; say yes to Asian peace and friendship." - Akahata, July 17, 2005