A 15-member education resuscitation panel formed at the initiative of Prime Minister Shinzo Abe has begun discussions. The direction of the talks can be predicted by the remarks Mr. Abe made in establishing the panel.
He said, "To get back a strong Japan, it is indispensable to resuscitate the education of children, who will carry the future of Japan on their shoulders." He also said, "The big goal is to ensure opportunities to have (children) acquire the academic ability and normative consciousness of the world's top level."
Mr. Abe appears to be more interested in nurturing children who will be useful for achieving national goals than in nurturing children who will develop their own academic interests, have independent and critical thinking and contribute to the healthy development of society through their spontaneous activities.