The Textbook Authorization Council, an advisory panel to the Education, Science and Technology Minister, started discussing ways to improve its textbook screening on 28 February 2008. The council is expected to finalize its opinion by summer, along with a re-examination of the screening standards to ensure the standards are in line with revisions of school curriculum guidelines.

The current screening practice involves the Council holding closed-door meetings, which are tasked with screening whether descriptions in textbooks are appropriate. Proceedings of the meetings of committees and subcommittees are not disclosed to the public.

Due to the approval of inappropriate history textbook by the Education Ministry in 2001 & 2005, Hotline Asia issued UA010515(7) and UA050812(5) respectively to urge the Japanese authorities to terminate its adoption of such textbooks.

Source:
Daily Yomiuri

On 15 December 2006, the Parliament of Japan enacted a revision of the 1947 Fundamental Law of Education. The new education law stresses ¡§love of country¡¨, ¡§public spirit¡¨, and ¡§tradition¡¨ while handing greater control over schools to politicians. Around the country, conservative politicians have already been leading efforts to bring patriotism into the classroom: Tokyo¡¦s nationalist governor, Shintaro Ishihara, has punished hundreds of teachers for failing to force their students to sing the national anthem and stand before the national flag during school ceremonies. Other school districts have even started grading students on their patriotism.

The development is adverse in light of the 2 UAs Holine issued in 2001 and 2005. UA050812(5) and UA010515(7)] urged district education board to withdraw the use of the controversial textbooks, which whitewashed Japan's wartime atrocities.

Source:
International Herald Tribune

Siginami, another Tokyo district has adopted the controversial New History Textbook. After a fierce debate over the adoption, the final decision was delayed for a week: In the end, 3 of the 5 members of the board voted for the textbook.

Due to the high level of concern from other Asian countries on the textbook the Ministry of Foreign Affairs has commissioned the translation of the book into English, Chinese and Korean language. The translated version can be viewed at http://www.je-kaleidoscope.jp.

Hotline Asia issued UA050812(5) in August 2005 to urge the Boards of Education of Ohtawara City and Tokyo Metropolitan to withdraw the use of the controversial textbook. Information on the controversy of the textbook and the Church response can also be found at UA010515(7) and related updates.

Source:
South China Morning Post