TOKYO- Japan's education ministry on Wednesday released a manual for the country's new curriculum guidelines, asking junior high school teachers for the first time to have students understand procedures for constitutional revisions.

A manual for new curriculum guidelines for elementary schools stipulated for the first time that students learn the role of the country's Self-Defense Forces.

The manuals were drawn up to complement the new curriculum guidelines, set to be introduced in stages starting in fiscal 2020. The country's curriculum guidelines are revised roughly every 10 years.

The series of steps that need to be taken to change Japan's supreme law is already explained in the seven social study textbooks currently used in junior high schools.

Given recent changes, including the 2010 entry into force of the national referendum law that sets steps for constitutional revisions, the manual for junior high school social studies said it is necessary to make students understand that concrete procedures for a referendum on constitutional changes are determined by law.

In social studies for elementary schools, the manual requires teaching that the mission of the SDF is to protect Japan's peace and security. This is in line with the new guidelines asking students to learn the SDF's role in fighting natural disasters.

Under the new curriculum guidelines, social studies in elementary and junior high schools will explain that the Senkaku Islands in the East China Sea and Takeshima in the Sea of Japan are an inherent part of Japanese territory, in addition to the Northern Territories, already taught about in this way. (Jiji Press)