Japan Press Weekly

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2007 October 24 - 30 [EDUCATION]

Pro-Yasukuni forces have dominant influence over Education Ministry’s history textbook screening policy

Disciples and collaborators of the supervising editor of the “New History Textbook,” the infamous textbook glorifying Japan’s past war of aggression based on the Yasukuni Shrine view on history, are deeply involved in the Education Ministry’s history textbook screening process, Japanese Communist Party representative Ishii Ikuko revealed on October 24 in a House of Representatives committee meeting.

Those members are believed to have played a key role in removing from history textbooks the descriptions of the Imperial Japanese Army’s involvement in local residents’ “mass suicides” during the Battle of Okinawa.

Among the four ministry staff members in charge of examining textbooks, two examiners specializing in modern history are collaborators of the supervising editor of the biased textbook.

Furthermore, two out of the four Textbook Authorization Council members specializing in modern history also have similar relationships with the editor.

Ishii asked Education Minister Tokai Kisaburo, “Do you still insist that the textbook screening policy is fair and impartial?”

Tokai stated, “Any doubt must be avoided in assigning examiners well as Council members. We will pay attention and give guidance to prevent such influence. We are also considering making the screening process more transparent.”

Ishii stated, “The issue won’t be settled without retracting the controversial screening policy that cannot be academically justified.” She demanded that the removed accounts be restored using the ministry’s authority.
- Akahata, October 25, 2007