Japan Press Weekly

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2024 May 22 - 28 [SDF]

SDF plans to entertain public high school teachers involved in job guidance in Miyagi

The Self-Defense Forces are planning to host “training”, including a cruise around a base port, for public high school teachers who offer career guidance to students in Miyagi Prefecture. The SDF will pay for the teachers’ transport, accommodation, and food.

A teachers’ union in Miyagi, which is affiliated with the All Japan Teachers and Staff Union (Zenkyo), on May 22 made a representation to the SDF Miyagi Provincial Cooperation Office to demand that the planned “training” at the National Defense Academy and the Maritime SDF Yokosuka Naval Base be cancelled.

The SDF during the “training” plans to hold a briefing, a port cruise, and a meeting with SDF personnel at the Yokosuka base. It also plans to include an explanation of the Defense Academy and discussions with professors and students.

The chief clerk of the union, Hattanda Fumihiko, pointed out that the “training” all paid by the SDF constitutes a form of “public employees entertaining public employees using public funds” and is not appropriate for public school teachers who supposedly teach about peace and democracy based on the Constitution.

Yagihashi Daisuke, an official of the local SDF Provincial Cooperation Office, said in response, “I consider the planned training to be within the scope of the SDF personnel recruitment activities, but I will convey your request to the leadership of the office for consideration.”