Fundamental Law Of Education

Japan was considering to amend Fundamental Law Of Education. This is important law which is counterpart of the constitution of Japan. Constitution is a blue print of state. Fundamental law of Education is blue print of people's mind. (This law is amended last month.)



The law says;



Having established the Constitution of Japan, we have shown our resolution to contribute to the world and welfare of humanity by building a democratic and cultural state. The realization of this idea shall depend fundamentally on the power of education. ("cultural state" means "culture of individualism.)

We shall esteem individual dignity and endeavor to bring up the people who love truth and peace, while education aimed at the creation of culture, general and rich in individuality, shall be spread far and wide.



We hereby enact this Law, in accordance with the spirit of the Constitution of Japan, with a view to clarifying the aim of education and establishing the aim of education and establishing the foundation of education for new Japan.



Article 1. Aim of Education



Education shall aim at the full development of personality, striving for the rearing of the people, sound in mind and body, who shall love truth and justice, esteem individual value, respect labor and have a deep sense of responsibility, and be imbued with the independent spirit, as builders of peaceful state and society.







And I don't have enough time to put this issue simply. I enumerate opinions not in order.



# 中曽根康弘, Nakasone Yasuhiro, One-time Prime minister and a one-time sublieutenant of Japanese imperial navy, says;



America's(GHQ's) strategy was that America make Japan to renounce prewar concept of values and demolishing Japan's nation -state.



It was unconditional surrender of education.



In Japan, British utilitarianism, American pragmaticism, French individualism and Soviet's communism have walked abroad in bad shape, coupling with atmospherics that Japanese need to earn money rather than education etc.



That too much British utilitarianism, American pragmaticism, French individualism made people to lost moral that "Not do anything shameful".



# A professor, novelists too, 松本健一, Matsumoto Kenichi, says;



Accent of Japanese academians are lacking philosophical thoughts and point of view from area of history.



The fundamental law can be available in all countries. It means the law is not Japan's and it is not law of any countries.



Maruyama Saneo(丸山眞男), who was a leader of left wing, felt apologetic for such individualism in hindsight.



The fundamental law of education express "We shall esteem individual dignity" and "Education shall aim at the full development of personality". But such education only makes society of people's private profit, private right and virtue for one's self. (Nishibe says same thing.)



# An academian, 西部邁, Nishibe Susumu, says;



In Japan there are people like piece of grit scattering in all directions. Will it can be called culture?



We lack social morals now.



I thinks post war Japanese lack to think with their/our heads. To think with our heads, ones have to establish a concept of "self". To do it, we need to think of our history and philosophy.



It is important to make students consider about virtue which appeared and left an imprint on us in history.



Japan express principle that sovereignty resides in the people but I think people is existences have their culture as a basis, not people lacking it. However, the fundamental law of education don't express Japan's value but expresses value lacking Japan's value.



The fundamental law of education express "by building a democratic and cultural state" but it don't explain that where its culture comes from.



When historical rule is cut off from people, autonomy and self-motivation can be consuming and decadent.



I would have to say The Imperial message on Education(I cite this below) is superior to Fundamental law of education, in that Imperial one express clearly about virtues especially social virtue.



The fundamental law of education express "We shall esteem individual dignity" and "Education shall aim at the full development of personality". But such education only makes a society of people seek only private profit, private right and virtue for one's self.



People should realize that when one is compliant with asset, one become an actor who has independent-minded.



Post war Japan abolishing totally values including Confucianism, expresses independence and autonomy. As the result, Japan has lifted only even vulgarian assertiveness about one's rights.



In imperial age, Fukuzawa Yukichi express "rights". But it included social virtue.



(Fukuzawa Yukichi was a representative academian in 19th century in Japan. He is the founder of Keio-Gijyuku-university, and is the face of 10,000 yen bank bill. )





# A researcher of planetary physics, 松井孝典, Matsui Takafumi, says;



If there are individuals in Japan, individual means to have one's own way in range of what the one knows.



We don't need students who clear an exam paper with pattern recognition, but we do need students who can find a problem and can resolve it.



Democracy and market economy can go well in ever-increasing age. But I doubt. I don't think those concepts can go well in age of stagnation.



Attenuation of public sense is a cause of the destruction of the global environment.





I cited them. They are conservative wing in Japan. I looked for left wing opinion but I can't find interesting left one bringing philosophy into view. Now, I guess many countries too, Communists and Socialists are cheerlessly since collapse of the Berlin Wall. Conservative wing had been once right wing but it became middle in Japan.



I suppose when it comes to think of globalism, Japan will become a good example to consider it.

It seems the experimental test of education of individualism was abortion in Japan. It is said the number of atrocious crime by younger is increasing. (In fact, however, anomalousness of Japan is that number of case of murder by younger people is very small. ) Now, it is time to double back to our own value. "double back" doesn't means just reactionary acts. I don't think current conservatives can treat with this problem at this phase, but I want to see how it works. And it is very interesting for me. Japanese are look like army troops in a state of near collapse. We need a better commander.





--------Foot note



The Imperial message on Education（英訳・教育勅語）

  Know ye, our subjects;

Our Imperial Ancestors have founded Our Empire on a basis broad and everlasting and have deeply and firmly implanted virtue； Our subjects ever united in loyalty and filial piety have from generation to generation illustrated the beauty thereof． This is the glory of the fundamental character of our Empire，and herein also lies the source of Our education． Ye， Our subjects，to be filial to your parents , affectionate to your brothers and sisters； as husbands and wives be harmonious , as friends true； bear yourselves in modesty and moderation； extend your benevolence to all；pursue learning and cultivate arts，and thereby develop intellectual faculties and perfect moral powers；furthermore advance public good and promote common interests； always respect the  Constitution and observe the laws； should emergency arise，offer yourselves courageously to the State； and thus guard and maintain the prosperity of Our Imperial Throne coeval with heaven and earth． So shall ye not only be Our good and faithful subjects，but render illustrious the best traditions of your forefathers．

 The Way here set forth is indeed the teaching bequeathed by Our Imperial Ancestors， to be observed alike by Their Descendants and the subjects，infallible for all ages and true in all places．It is Our wish to lay it to heart in all reverence， in common with you，

Our subjects， that we may all thus attain to the same virtue．

          The 30th day of the 10th month of the 23rd year of Meiji (1890)

      

        (Imperial Sign Manual， Imperial Seal)



Hmm, very imperial.

As far as I know, people who is interesting in Japan wonder how values, Buddhism and Confucianism etc came from continent were integrated in Japan. I think I would write about it too.



Well, I took the photo of Kaiten-zushi, rotating sushi today. I want to try to eat avocado sushi and Californian roll.



I've wrote "Now Japan is considering to amend Fundamental Law Of Education. ". Correction; " Japan was considering to amend Fundamental Law Of Education. ".





----------Footnote



I'd forgotten about that the law already was amended last month. In fact, I wrote last topic in last month, I'm sorry I should have checked it again. So what I wrote was a bit old topic. However, its problem is same as what we faced.



To conclude, I don't think this one is good.



ここに、我々は、日本国憲法の精神にのっとり、我が国の未来を切り拓《ひら》く教育の基本を確立し、その振興を図るため、この法律を制定する。



Base on the constitution of Japan, we ----- establish this law. That is, they didn't resolve the problem of the constitution of Japan.



This law mention about cultural, dignity of individuals, truth, justice, public sense. But because of the constitution. This fundamental law still has fundamental problem.



And



伝統を継承し、新しい文化の創造を目指す教育を推進する。



Taking over tradition, we promote education which aim to creation of culture.



Taking over tradition means non-Japanese culture including Japanese culture but the culture of the constitution because of the constitution of Japan. It is a shifty in a sense.



Ruling parties railroaded this agenda. I can understand they couldn't dramatically change this law because the constitution limit this law. So, I think they should amend the constitution of Japan first.



After all, logicaly I don't think they resolved the problem. It is a product of too much compromise. problems we face now is continued.