뉴스레터

Question:

There is news that in addition to Fusosha's "New History Textbook," another right-wing textbook is about to be released in Japan. What were the developments leading up to this and how is this textbook different from the Fusosha textbook?

Answer:

Division of the Japanese Society for History Textbook (JSHT) and its Background

It is expected that a second right-wing textbook will be released in Japan in the near future. When the book receives authorization from the Ministry of Education, Culture, and Sports (MEXT) toward the end of March of this year, it will be subjected to the textbook selection process and used in classrooms starting next year. This textbook came about because of a division within the JSHT. As it is well known, despite having passed the government authorization evaluation twice, the "New History Textbook" recorded a dismal selection rate (by schools)--less than 1%. JSHT was embroiled in an internal dispute over who was to be held accountable, and eventually, the group was divided into two factions. One faction left the JSHT and took Fusosha Publishing with them. That faction then founded the Organization for Reviving Japanese Education and organized a subgroup, Council for Improving Textbooks. The Council plans to publish the existing "New History Textbook" with Fusosha until 2011 and then publish a revised version that is in accordance with the Revised Basic Act on Education and New Guidelines for Instructors with Ikuhosha Publishing.

Compilation of a second distorted textbook by the JSHT

When Fusosha severed its ties with JSHT, JSHT was forced to seek a new arrangement. JSHT has a publishing contract with Fusosha until 2011, so it had no alternative but to come up with a new textbook, separate from the "New History Textbook" published by Fusosha. In other words, JSHT's very existence was under threat, and in order to preserve its identity, it was forced to compile a new textbook. To this end, JSHT joined forces with the right-wing publisher Jiyusha, completed a new textbook, and applied for government authorization last March. It is currently awaiting the authorization results from MEXT.

Differences between the two distorted textbooks

It is expected that the new JSHT textbook will more or less maintain the ideological orientation and direction as well as the actual content of the existing "New History Textbook." The main writers of the "New History Textbook" are also working on the JSHT textbook. Furthermore, JSHT is claiming to possess the copyright over some 70% of the content in the "New History Textbook," so no major divergence is likely. However, JSHT will probably use more photographs, tables, and other illustrations in order to maximize the visual appeal of the new textbook and differentiate it from the existing "New History Textbook." Also, there is a high possibility that even greater emphasis will be placed on patriotism, as per the Japanese government's key directive in the Revised Basic Act on Education and New Guidelines for Instructors.

Division leads to the expansion of right-wing forces

The division of JSHT may appear to weaken right-wing forces, but in reality, the opposite may be true given it has led to the publication of yet another right-wing textbook, which can contribute to the expansion of right-leaning tendencies in Japan. JSHT and the splinter group will be seeking diverse methods to expand their respective influence and lead Japan's right-wing movement. This is a matter of great interest as well as great concern to us.