February 13, 2010

Japanese Communist Party representative Shiokawa Tetsuya on February 12 at a House of Representatives Budget Committee meeting demanded that the government ensure access to education for all children of foreign workers.

Shiokawa pointed out that children whose parents came to Japan simply to join the labor force are becoming victims of the inconsistent government policy regarding immigrant workers and that some of them cannot attend school due to financial difficulties being experienced by their parents.

“It is necessary to provide education with a diversity of options to these children,” stated Shiokawa.

He also emphasized the need to improve the education environment and the quality in the curricula of international schools, including Brazilian schools, by providing financial support.

Education Minister Kawabata Tatsuo replied, “The ministry will respond to that problem.”
- Akahata, February 13, 2010