Opinion Paper Concerning the Revision of Textbook Examination Standards, the Guidelines for the Screening of Textbook Examination Standards, and the Adoption of Textbooks
December 19, 2014
Japan Federation of Bar Associations
The Japan Federation of Bar Associations (“JFBA”) prepared its “Opinion Paper Concerning the Revision of Textbook Examination Standards, the Guidelines for the Screening of Textbook Examination Standards, and the Adoption of Textbooks” and submitted it to the Minister of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology and the Chief of the Board of Education in each prefecture of Japan on December 19, 2014.
Summary of the Opinion
Since the revisions made in the Textbook Examination Standards in January 2014 and in the Guidelines for the Screening of Textbook Examination Standards in April 2014 are in violation of Article 26 of the Constitution of Japan, as they constitute excessive intervention in education by the state and may infringe upon children’s right to education, etc., the JFBA urges the withdrawal of such revisions and for the opinions of teachers and schools to be fully respected in the adoption of school textbooks in order to guarantee children’s right to education.
