New Japan Education Minister Under Fire for Imperial Rescript Remarks

October 4, 2018

Tokyo- Masahiko Shibayama, who was appointed education minister only on Tuesday, has already drawn backlash from the opposition camp due to his remarks showing his willingness to revive the Imperial Rescript on Education.

At his inaugural press conference after the cabinet reshuffle on Tuesday, the new education minister pointed out that there is a move to use a modern version of the now-defunct rescript as a teaching material by focusing on principles such as cherishing colleagues and putting emphasis on international cooperation.

Then he said such an attempt is "worth considering."

The edict, promulgated in 1890 by Emperor Meiji, demanded sacrifice to the nation while peaching virtues such as devotion to parents and retaining positive sibling relations.

In 1948, both chambers of Japan's parliament adopted a resolution to eliminate and invalidate the rescript, following criticism that it promoted militarism in the country.

"There are enough parts that can be used in moral education," Shibayama said. "Universality can be found in the text."

Last year, in a written answer to a lawmaker's question, the government did not reject the possibility of using the rescript as a teaching material, leading to protests on a broad front.

The Shibayama remarks met with harsh responses on Wednesday.

Kazuo Shii, head of the Japanese Communist Party, told reporters, "The core of the rescript is the part urging people to give up their lives for the Emperor, and (Shibayama) doesn't understand this."

"The remarks are truly problematic," Shii stressed.

At a press conference the same day, Chief Cabinet Secretary Yoshihide Suga declined to make a comment on the matter, saying, "I don't know the real reason or motive (for the remarks)."

"The government has no intention to utilize the rescript actively at school," Suga added. Jiji Press