In a significant move reflecting a commitment to education and remembrance, Minister of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology Masako Abe announced on March 18, 2025, that her ministry is developing a new set of instructional materials aimed at teachers of elementary, junior high, and high schools. This initiative is aimed at conveying the important message of the Nobel Peace Prize awarded to the Japan Confederation of A- and H-Bomb Sufferers Organizations, commonly known as Hidankyo.
The guidance materials will showcase the contributions and achievements of Hidankyo. Drawing on teaching resources from Norway, the materials will detail both the organization's historical activities and the reasoning behind its recent accolade, providing educators with a comprehensive toolkit to impart vital lessons on the consequences of nuclear warfare and the quest for peace.
Abe stated that the goal is to have these materials distributed nationwide by August 2025, coinciding with the commemoration of the 80th anniversary of the atomic bombings in Japan during World War II. This timing underscores the importance of the subject matter and aims to ensure that younger generations are aware of the historical impacts of such actions, fostering a culture of peace and understanding.
In the political arena, the appointment of Kohei Ito, the President of Keio University, to the Central Council for Education has sparked controversy and criticism from various quarters, notably from Tatsuya Maruyama, the governor of Shimane Prefecture. Maruyama vehemently labeled Abe as a 'national thief', expressing his outrage over the perceived contradictions in educational policies, particularly regarding tuition hikes.
Maruyama's criticism stems from Ito’s previous advocacy for increasing tuition fees for national and public universities, a proposal that he made in March 2024. At that time, Ito had suggested that to enhance the quality of education, a competitive environment must be established, which included raising the standard tuition fees to approximately 1.5 million yen, roughly three times the existing amount. This suggestion was met with alarm by Maruyama, who argued that such hikes undermine recent efforts agreed upon by three political parties to make high school education free.
During a press conference on March 12, 2025, Maruyama, visibly frustrated, pointed out the implications of introducing increased educational costs amidst initiatives designed to lower barriers for families in the context of declining birth rates. "How can we expect families to want more children when we are raising educational costs?" he questioned passionately, reflecting broader concerns regarding Japan's demographic challenges.
Maruyama emphasized the expected contradiction between high tuition fees and the commitment to free high school education, questioning the government's overall commitment to addressing declining birth rates and child-rearing challenges. His words hint at a growing discontent with leadership decisions impacting the educational landscape.
Responding to the critiques from Maruyama, Abe defended the appointment of Ito and the government’s educational policies in a press conference post-cabinet meeting. She assured the public that a diverse set of university presidents would be engaged in discussions to forge a balanced educational framework addressing various perspectives—from national to private and urban to rural institutions. Specifically, she noted, "We will thoroughly consider the tuition of national universities."
As tensions rise, the criticism from Maruyama highlights a larger conversation regarding educational reform and funding amidst Japan’s shifting demographic landscape. The contradictions between policy ambitions to promote higher education accessibility through financial support and the proposal to increase tuition fees point to a potential disconnect between public expectations and government action.
As Japan approaches the 80th anniversary of the atomic bombing, the country's grappling with its historical narrative alongside present-day educational reforms reflects a nuanced struggle with identity, responsibility, and forward-looking commitments to peace and prosperity.
