Hiroshima Mayor to continue to use Imperial Rescript on Education as “materials for analyzing things”
Dec. 20, 2023
by Keiichi Nohira, Staff Writer
At a news conference on December 19, Hiroshima Mayor Kazumi Matsui explained his reasoning for quoting part of the prewar “Imperial Rescript on Education” in materials used in training sessions for city employees, saying, “We use the Imperial Rescript on Education as a source so city employees will not judge things uniformly as right or wrong and to allow for interpretation.” He expressed his intent to continue to quote the Imperial Rescript on Education in fiscal 2024 and beyond.
Mr. Matsui is said to give a lecture in the training sessions, after making introductory remarks that the rescript is denied under the current Japanese Constitution, where he argues that the rescript contains language based on a democratic way of thinking, showing quotes that preach learning and public interest.” Mr. Matsui said, “I am using the quotes to serve as an example for considering the evaluation of things from multiple perspectives.”
The training materials, supervised by Mr. Matsui, introduce to public employees’ a mindset to develop the city. He has quoted from the Imperial Rescript on Education since fiscal 2012, the year after he took office, and devoted one page to quotes in the 19-pages of material in fiscal 2023.
At the news conference, Mr. Matsui also stated his impressions of his visit to Pearl Harbor National Memorial at the beginning of this month, which followed the conclusion of the sister park agreement between Pearl Harbor National Memorial and Hiroshima Peace Memorial Park, located in the city’s Naka Ward. Mr. Matsui pointed out the contents of the exhibit on the Pacific War in the park’s facilities changed to those with some objectivity, compared to when he visited the park in 2012. Referring to a paper crane folded by Sadako Sasaki, he appreciated the exhibit and said that wish for peace based on reconciliation began to bear fruit.
(Originally published on December 20, 2023)
At a news conference on December 19, Hiroshima Mayor Kazumi Matsui explained his reasoning for quoting part of the prewar “Imperial Rescript on Education” in materials used in training sessions for city employees, saying, “We use the Imperial Rescript on Education as a source so city employees will not judge things uniformly as right or wrong and to allow for interpretation.” He expressed his intent to continue to quote the Imperial Rescript on Education in fiscal 2024 and beyond.
Mr. Matsui is said to give a lecture in the training sessions, after making introductory remarks that the rescript is denied under the current Japanese Constitution, where he argues that the rescript contains language based on a democratic way of thinking, showing quotes that preach learning and public interest.” Mr. Matsui said, “I am using the quotes to serve as an example for considering the evaluation of things from multiple perspectives.”
The training materials, supervised by Mr. Matsui, introduce to public employees’ a mindset to develop the city. He has quoted from the Imperial Rescript on Education since fiscal 2012, the year after he took office, and devoted one page to quotes in the 19-pages of material in fiscal 2023.
At the news conference, Mr. Matsui also stated his impressions of his visit to Pearl Harbor National Memorial at the beginning of this month, which followed the conclusion of the sister park agreement between Pearl Harbor National Memorial and Hiroshima Peace Memorial Park, located in the city’s Naka Ward. Mr. Matsui pointed out the contents of the exhibit on the Pacific War in the park’s facilities changed to those with some objectivity, compared to when he visited the park in 2012. Referring to a paper crane folded by Sadako Sasaki, he appreciated the exhibit and said that wish for peace based on reconciliation began to bear fruit.
(Originally published on December 20, 2023)
