Japan Press Weekly

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2007 October 17 - 23 [EDUCATION]

Okinawans make representations to textbook publishers and education ministry

Okinawans on October 16 made representations to textbook publishers, demanding restoration of the history textbook account concerning “mass suicides” during the Battle of Okinawa that had been erased under Education Ministry orders.

Editors from five textbook publishing companies accepted the representations.

Okinawa Prefectural Federation of Parent-Teacher Associations Chair Moromizato Hiromi presented a junior high school student’s letter published in a local paper that reads, “I am willing to take over the demands of those who experienced the battle that wars should never be waged again. I refuse to use a textbook that tells us lies.”

An editor said, “It was shocking for me to read the letter. We need to recognize once again the role of textbooks of conveying to children the truth and to help create the future with them.”

All editors attending the meeting promised to pass on the Okinawans’ message to textbook writers and to make a proper response.

Okinawa Prefectural Assembly Chair Nakazato Toshinobu and other Okinawans also visited the Education Ministry and handed in their statement addressed to the education minister.

Vice Minister Ikenobo Yasuko received the statement and said, “I think the ministry needs to reflect on the policy that caused you so much pain.”

Later at a press conference, Nakazato said, “I felt that the Education Ministry’s stance has softened a little. The vice minister mentioned the ministry’s responsibility for supervising textbook publishers. We will continue to make representations to the government until it retracts its instructions.”

In a rally held in the Diet Building on the same day, many Okinawans who took part in the representations said that their action has marked the starting point to broaden their struggle nationwide. - Akahata, October 17, 2007