History Book Okay Spurs Japan Right

TOKYO － The Japanese Society for History Textbook Reform has stepped up lobbying for the use of its textbook in middle schools in wake of the book's authorization by Japan's Ministry of Education on Tuesday.

The right-wing society submitted petitions to several of Japan's regional education councils, asking that teachers not be included in the selection of books.

The Hiroshima education council on Wednesday came out in support of the petition, announcing to local education committees that it will not allow teachers and administrators to participate in the textbook selection process.

This is in sharp contrast with past practices, in which textbooks for use in public schools were publicly displayed and teachers analyzed the books after which they submitted recommendations to a sub-committee, which made the final decision.

The decision on which textbooks to use in private schools lies with the principals of those schools.

According to a Japanese civic group, 32 regional councils, including Hokkaido and Fukuoka, have adopted the rightist group's petition. Observers said the right-wing group may well reach its goal of getting the book into 10 percent of Japan's middle schools.

Only the Osaka council dismissed it.

Meanwhile, the Japanese government is taking different approaches to countering Chinese and Korean outcries following the approval of the textbook.

Japanese diplomats said that the government will approach Korea flexibly, whereas it will firmly confront China.

According to the Japanese press, the Korean government has not taken a strong position against the textbook mostly for diplomatic reasons.

The Asahi newspaper wrote that the Korean government is refraining from overt criticism because of the 2002 World Cup, which will be hosted with Japan, and the support it needs from Japan for inter-Korean reconciliation.

On the other hand, China has expressed strong dissatisfaction through its ambassador in Tokyo, because, some observers said, the two countries are in a battle over supremacy in Asia.

by Oh Day-young