New Curriculum Guidelines Should Clearly Explain the Importance of Defense

Discussions are underway at the Central Council for Education to revise the curriculum guidelines for elementary, junior high and high schools from 2027 onwards.

The main revisions being considered are meant to accommodate the diverse personalities among schoolchildren. However, important perspectives are apparently being left behind. These refer to items in the curriculum that would deepen understanding concerning "protecting the peace and security of the nation."

Currently, the curriculum guidelines state that one of the educational goals is to foster a love of country. Yet, they do not mention the importance of protecting the nation. In the guidelines for elementary and junior high school, there is only one mention of the Self-Defense Forces. That is in the section on natural disasters in the fourth-grade social studies guidelines.

*Defense Minister Shinjiro Koizumi addresses paratroopers at the Narashino Training Area in Chiba Prefecture on January 11. (©Sankei by Shunsuke Sakamaki)*

Ending the Spread of Misinformation

In fact, some textbooks developed based on the current curriculum guidelines contain negative descriptions of SDF activities and the expansion of the its missions. For example, most civics textbooks being used in junior high schools today touch on constitutional issues. Some even include statements like the following: "There are voices calling for a reduction in the size of the SDF. And there are also claims that the Self-Defense Forces violate the Constitution."

Furthermore, regarding the dispatch of SDF units overseas, at least one textbook states that such deployment "goes beyond the purpose of self-defense, and there are concerns that the Self-Defense Forces may be drawn into armed conflict with foreign military forces."

However, it is common sense that the Self-Defense Forces are constitutional. Their existence is based on the Self-Defense Forces Act enacted by the National Diet in 1954.

Current curriculum guidelines and textbooks do not express an accurate understanding of the facts. Therefore, they cannot serve to cultivate the critical thinking skills children require to think objectively about national security issues.

*This Chinese TB001 reconnaissance and attack drone flew between Okinawa's main island and Miyako Island in February 2025. (Courtesy of the Ministry of Defense, Joint Staff Office)*

Revisions In a Tumultuous Age

The Central Council for Education plans to compile specific details of its proposed revisions this summer and submit a report within FY2026. We would like to see educational goals from the perspective of protecting the country explicitly stated.

Commentaries for the guidelines used to edit textbooks say the following kinds of things about the SDF. "Make sure that students understand that the Self-Defense Forces are protecting the peace and security of our country." (Sixth-grade social studies). "(Touch upon) the role that the Self-Defense Forces play in the defense of our country and in maintaining peace and security in the international community." (Junior high school civics.)

These are the kinds of perspectives that should be clearly stated in the text of the guidelines. The security environment has become more severe since the last revision, with Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, fears of a Taiwan emergency and other disturbing developments.

The objective of the revision of the curriculum guidelines is to provide young Japanese with an education that is fit for our tumultuous age. Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi, the Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology, and the Central Council for Education should all keep that fact in mind.