Regarding the editorial "Teachers, pupils": Without a doubt, there are sexual predators teaching children in Japan. But to ban essential communication between honest educators and their charges because of the dishonest ones is shortsighted.

Those proven to have used their power of position for personal purposes in any job — whether it's pedagogy or politics — should be severely punished. But why should everyone else also be punished?

Surely the more communication there is, the more chance that predators of any persuasion will come to light. But clamping down on communication could lead to many more problems than it prevents, especially in education.

With the terrible crimes being committed against children — often by other children — the channels of communication should not be closed. If anything, they should be much more open than they are now.

david john
dazaifu, fukuoka

The opinions expressed in this letter to the editor are the writer's own and do not necessarily reflect the policies of The Japan Times.