Experts who spoke at Diet hearings jointly appeal for thorough discussion on educational bill

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Experts who spoke at Diet hearings jointly appeal for thorough discussion on educational bill

Witnesses who spoke at Diet committee meetings and speakers who made statements at public hearings on a government bill to revise the education law jointly issued an appeal, "As witnesses and speakers, we call for a thorough discussion on the Fundamental Law of Education." 20 experts including three appeal initiators have expressed their support for the appeal as of December 11.

At a press conference held in the Diet building on December 12, Fujita Hidenori, an International Christian University professor and a former Central Education Council member, emphasized that it is extremely rare for witnesses and speakers who have expressed concerns and raised problems regarding a government bill to issue such an appeal.

Fujita criticized the government and ruling parties by saying, "Their stance on the Diet discussion about this issue is tantamount to desecrating the public."

Calling for thorough deliberations in the Upper House, he stated, "Enacting the government bill will create serious problems for the future of Japanese education and society, amplifying various distortions."

Nishihara Hiroshi, a Waseda University professor, also demanded that the Diet hold a thorough discussion, reflect public opinion in the deliberations, and not take a vote without sufficient deliberation.

Also present at the press conference were: Education critic Ogi Naoki; Tokyo University Professor Takahashi Tetsuya; Nihon University Professor Hirota Teruyuki; Tokyo University Professor Emeritus Horio Teruhisa; and Niigata University Associate Professor Yotoriyama Yosuke.
- Akahata, December 13, 2006