Prime Minister Shinzo Abe, who took office six months ago, is beginning to reveal his true self as a dyed-in-the-wool conservative.
In December, Abe won Diet enactment of the revised Fundamental Law of Education, which stresses public spirit, tradition and patriotism. Previous administrations of the Liberal Democratic Party had failed to get similar legislation enacted.
Abe ordered his government to introduce three education-related bills in the current Diet session, and the Central Council of Education submitted to the education minister a report recommending that the state be allowed to tighten its control on education.