Japan Press Weekly

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2016 January 6 - 12 [SOCIAL ISSUES]

160 junior high school students in Saga Pref. participate in SDF experiential learning activities

Local assemblypersons of the Japanese Communist Party in Saga Prefecture have learned that half of Saga’s municipalities in 2015 had about 160 junior high school students participate in experiential learning activities at facilities of the Self-Defense Forces.

Public junior high schools of 10 cities and towns out of all 20 municipalities in Saga signed up for an SDF workplace experience program last year. The program included sitting in the pilot seat of an SDF helicopter and learning hand-to-hand combat skills.

Some students went to the Maritime SDF base in Sasebo in Nagasaki Prefecture and even had to submit a written oath before the start of the program.

Teachers at public schools in Saga Prefecture have been trying to secure enough places for their students to participate in workplace experiences. In recent years, however, more and more business entities have been refusing to accept students because of the economic slump.

Under these circumstances, the SDF has started offering its workplace experience program very vigorously.

A junior high school teacher said, “I can’t imagine my students with guns. Honestly speaking, I don’t want to have them experience life in the SDF.”

Inoue Yusuke, a JCP member of the Saga prefectural assembly, said he read students’ essays on their experiential learning activities. “Reports and impressions of those who experienced in conventional workplaces have much more variety than those who experienced the SDF program,” said Inoue.

Past related article:
> 9 Kawasaki junior high schools had students participate in SDF activities [November 26, 2015]