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| Abe Keita (Franciscan priest)
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Last summer, there was a hot debate all over the country with regard to
the adoption or rejection of history textbooks produced by a commission
to write new History textbooks and published by Fusosha. The Kansai area
also reacted to this issue and came out strongly on it, but the recent
news about the terrorist attacks on the New York International Trade Center
buildings and the Pentagon are dominating the media daily.
The rejection or acceptance of the history textbooks provoked strong reactions
especially in Tochigi prefecture, from July to August 15. During this period
many Christian groups, citizens' groups and Junior and Senior High schools
participated in activities opposing the adoption of the textbooks.
First of all, on July 15 there was a gathering concerning the adoption
or rejection of the new history textbooks at the YMCA of Joto ward (Osaka).
A lecturer from the public Middle school of Sakai City presented the main
problems of the new textbooks and explained the main national movements,
introducing the demands of those opposing the adoption of the textbooks
to participate and cooperate. As a result, local cultural groups and organizations
involved in ethnic education, as well as citizens from Ikuno ward (Osaka),
where the largest contingent of Korean nationals reside, collected signatures
on a protest document and sent it to all the national education committees.
The following month, from 2 to 6 August, the "Japan South Korean Youth
Forum" was held in the Central Youth Center of Osaka City, and in
Osakajo park to publicly discuss the issue of the history textbooks. Furthermore,
the Japanese and Korean youths demonstrated through the streets of Osaka,
appealing for a fast solution to the problem of the history textbooks.
They also sent public appeals to all the education committees of the Kansai
region. This way the youth of both countries participated in a mutual exchange
of vital discussions and performances regarding historical realities.
The reactions of those who participated in the movement opposing the textbooks
can be summarized by the following opinions. First, a teacher of an ethnic
group for Koreans expressed it this way, "I was surprised to see not
only Koreans in Japan opposing the new textbooks, but also many Japanese.
By this, I changed my image of Japan and got confidence to oppose the textbooks".
Again, a Korean student said, "Koreans and Japanese expressed frankly
their different views on history. I felt that it was very important to
have an opportunity to speak mutually from heart to heart " .
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The issue of the textbooks also caused serious repercussions among Koreans
in Japan. The printing of the "Mindan Newspaper", the main source
of information for Koreans in Japan, had always been done at Sankei Printing
House until last August. Such a printing firm is an affiliate of the company
publishing the Sankei Newspaper that has invested 100% capital in the Fusosha.
As a result of the gravity of the issues concerning the history textbooks,
the Mindan Newspaper that is financed partly from South Korea made a sudden
decision to change the printing house. The closing of the contract in August
with the former printing house could be interpreted as protest. The news
concerning the adoption of the new textbooks at Tokyo's School for the
Handicapped caused some stir from the point of view of the education of
children with handicaps and from the point of view of human rights. Up
to August 15, however, no one in other localities had adopted the new textbooks.
The opposition movement perhaps could not obtain all the desired results,
but it was effective.
From August 21 to 24, the group of Christian Youth and people from Okinawa
living in Osaka who are active in promoting peace, gathered to study past
historical realities. The gathering took place in order to transmit to
future generations the historical facts. The participants, including primary
school children, were residents of Taisho and Ikuno wards (Osaka) where
many Okinawans and Koreans live. In this way, a variety of movements took
place during one month and a half, from opposition to adopt the new textbooks
to activities that promote the historical facts without distorting history
and denying the realities of past invasions. The groups participating on
the opposition side continue the preparation of movements to propagate
true history and prevent the adoption of the said textbooks. One can say
that this movement has just started again.
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