Japan Press Weekly

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2007 October 3 - 9 [OKINAWA]

Okinawa governor requests education minister retract textbook screening policy

Okinawa Governor Nakaima Hirokazu on October 3 met Education Minister Tokai Kisaburo in Tokyo and requested the minister to retract the controversial textbook screening policy of deleting an account from high school history textbooks that the Japanese Imperial Army had forced Okinawans to commit “mass suicides” during the Okinawa Battle.

This was the first time for education ministers, including former Minister Ibuki Bunmei, to meet face-to-face with Okinawa prefectural government officials to talk about the textbook screening issue.

Okinawa Prefectural Assembly Chair Nakazato Toshinobu handed the minister a resolution adopted in the September 29 rally in which 110,000 Okinawans participated and said, “I hope that the government positively responds to this opinion shared by 1.37 million Okinawans.”

Okinawa Prefectural Women’s Organizations Chair Kowatari Haruko who attended the meeting said, “Mothers cannot allow an education that hides the truth from our children. As a survivor of the Okinawa Battle, I must help to convey the truth to future generations.”

Tokai said, “I will take this matter very seriously. Although politicians should refrain from interfering in the textbook screening process, I will have relevant officials work out how to reflect Okinawans’ opinions.” At the same time, the minister said, “Adhering to the textbook screening is also important. I cannot give my answer right now.”

At a news conference later in the day, Nakazato said, “Honestly speaking, I expected a more positive response.”

The Okinawan representatives also met Minister of State for Okinawa Affairs Kishida Fumio, the speaker of the House of Representatives, and the president of the House of Councilors. They also visited the prime minister’s office to make similar representations.