Japan Press Weekly

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2011 November 16 - 22 [EDUCATION]

Well-known public figures oppose Osaka ordinance interfering in public education

Many academics and cultural celebrities have expressed their opposition to a bill on an ordinance to authorize the Osaka governor to interfere directly in public education policy.

The bill was submitted to the Osaka Prefectural Assembly by the Osaka Ishin-no Kai, a local political party led by former governor Hashimoto Toru.

On November 17 at a press conference, professors of Tokyo University, Komori Yoichi and Sato Manabu, released an appeal initiated by 10 national figures in protest against the ordinance bill.

Criticizing the bill as enabling the governor to dismiss or discipline prefectural board of education members and teachers who disagree with educational objectives set by the governor, the appeal says that the ordinance, if enacted, “will undermine the very functions of public education and prevent children from growing up without inhibitions to express their opinions.”

The appeal also states that allowing the assembly and the governor to control public education is contrary to the principles enshrined in the Japanese Constitution and the Fundamental Education Law.

The appeal claims that Osaka Ishin-no Kai’s political style conjures up the dictatorial style of politics associated with fascism.

As of November 17, those who support the appeal are 58 well-known public figures, including Umehara Takashi (philosopher), Uchida Tatsuru (professor emeritus at Kobe College), Yamada Yoji (film director), Sugi Ryotaro (singer/actor), and Takeshita Keiko (actress).