Articles from Japan
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Democracy 5 September 2023 Unions advance peace education for a brighter future in East Asia
The Korean Teachers and Education Workers Union (KTU), the Japan Teachers’ Union (JTU), and China’s National Committee of the Educational, Scientific, Cultural, Health and Sports Workers’ Union (ACFTU) came together on August 8th and 9th 2023, in Seoul, Korea, for their 11th biennial assembly for practical exchange on peace education.
Unions advance peace education for a brighter future in East Asia -
Union renewal and development 1 December 2021 JTU Japan: Education as the fundamental right of every child
The Japan Teachers' Union is active in development cooperation since the 1970s, when they supported South Korea in the fight against dictatorship. The union has a fund for international cooperation to which members voluntarily contribute.
JTU Japan: Education as the fundamental right of every child -
Leading the profession 16 November 2021 Japan: Educators pay tribute to colleagues and students lost to the COVID-19 pandemic
On 24 October, the Japan Teachers’ Union (JTU) held a tribute ceremony at the Education Tower in the Osaka Castle Park to pay homage to educators and children who have lost their lives. This year, a special focus was placed on educators and students who died as a result of...
Japan: Educators pay tribute to colleagues and students lost to the COVID-19 pandemic -
Democracy 5 August 2021 East Asian education unions unite for quality peace education
Understanding that history is often distorted and that political forces often interfere with education systems and curricula, Chinese, Korean and Japanese teachers are exploring their shared past to teach students for a better future.
East Asian education unions unite for quality peace education -
Achieving Sustainable Development Goal 4 15 June 2021 G7 leaders commit to support girls’ education but fall short on financing the promise
During last weekend’s meeting, G7 leaders announced their support for theGirls’ Education Declaration and committed to addressing the setbacks brought about by the COVID-19 pandemic. However, financial commitments announced for the Global Partnership for Education are below the amount needed to ensure the most vulnerable have access to education.
G7 leaders commit to support girls’ education but fall short on financing the promise -
Trade union rights are human rights 17 September 2020 Japan: Japan Teachers’ Union secures resources for safe school reopening and monitors their expenditure
The Japan Teachers Union (JTU) had several discussions and negotiations with the Ministry of Education concerning safe re-opening of schools during COVID-19. Although they succeeded in obtaining those funds from the national government, they followed up to monitor the use of those funds in cooperation with 17 affiliated unions. Municipalities...
Japan: Japan Teachers’ Union secures resources for safe school reopening and monitors their expenditure -
Trade union rights are human rights 24 March 2020 Japan: Teachers’ union in dialogue with government to address major challenges after country-wide school closures
Japan Teachers’ Union has voiced concern over students’ wellbeing during the school closures brought about by the COVID-19 pandemic. Temporary educators also face serious problems as classes are suspended. The union is working with the national Ministry of Education and Parliament to find solutions.
Japan: Teachers’ union in dialogue with government to address major challenges after country-wide school closures -
Equity and inclusion 3 December 2019 “Beyond regret: what’s needed to stay together”, by Mitsunori Hoshina.
Mitsunori Hoshina
I have learned much from children during my career as a teacher. I would like to share a lesson on inclusive education I learned from what happened to a girl student.
“Beyond regret: what’s needed to stay together”, by Mitsunori Hoshina. -
Achieving Sustainable Development Goal 4 12 September 2019 “Copyright Issues and Teachers' Dilemma in Asia Pacific”, by Dr. Robert Jeyakumar.
Dr. Robert Jeyakumar
I woke up in Budapest on a fine summer morning to deliver a lecture using materials I had prepared in Malaysia in accordance with copyright exceptions allowed in Malaysia. Just before the lecture, I was informed that my materials did not conform to copyright laws in the EU. Dismay! This...
“Copyright Issues and Teachers' Dilemma in Asia Pacific”, by Dr. Robert Jeyakumar. -
Fighting the commercialisation of education 29 May 2019 Japan: Grief following the attack on schoolchildren in Kawasaki
As people around the world express their shock and disbelief on the student stabbing in Japan, educators express their deepest sympathy and sorrow.
Japan: Grief following the attack on schoolchildren in Kawasaki -
Leading the profession 19 February 2019 “Evidence-based labour activities for gender equality and the rights to gender and reproductive health”, by Yoshiko Norimatsu.
Yoshiko Norimatsu
The Japan Teachers’ Union contributes to achieving gender-related rights through its programmes and policies focused on the rights of female educators. A recent JTU research, for example, has shown how terms of employment are interlinked with reproductive health and childcare challenges.
“Evidence-based labour activities for gender equality and the rights to gender and reproductive health”, by Yoshiko Norimatsu. -
Union renewal and development 25 September 2018 #EI25: “Education International and member unions: weaving fabric of justice”, by Masaki Okajima
Masaki Okajima
You might think that there is a great distance between the international trade union movement and your own union or country. But my experience as a member of the EI Executive Board has shown close links.
#EI25: “Education International and member unions: weaving fabric of justice”, by Masaki Okajima -
Trade union rights are human rights 24 August 2018 Statement to the G20 Education and Employment Ministers
As the voice of the world’s educators, we welcome the inclusion of education as a priority for the G20, and hope the commitment to education will be ensured moving forward into Japan in 2019.
Statement to the G20 Education and Employment Ministers -
Achieving Sustainable Development Goal 4 21 August 2018 Japanese, Chinese and Korean teachers raise their voices for peace education
Historical events are interpreted and taught differently, and many times in radically opposed ways, in different countries. When countries have been at war with each other, their national education systems, their textbooks and their collective memory often glorify the victors, hide the atrocities and deny the claims of the victims.
Japanese, Chinese and Korean teachers raise their voices for peace education -
Fighting the commercialisation of education 17 July 2018 Educators in the EU and Japan demand education be left out of trade agreement
On the occasion of the signature of the European Union-Japan Economic Partnership Agreement, Education International firmly supports its European and Japanese members, reasserting that education must be explicitly carved out of such international trade agreements.
Educators in the EU and Japan demand education be left out of trade agreement -
Union renewal and development 6 March 2018 Japan Teachers' Union reaches out
Getting involved in development cooperation represents a key way for the Japan Teachers' Union to express its core values, as well as gain and retain younger members, vital to union renewal.
Japan Teachers' Union reaches out -
Leading the profession 13 February 2018 #WDR2018 Reality Check #14: Where is the World in the WDR 2018? An Appeal to Rename it the ‘American Development Report’ by Jeremy Rappleye & Hikaru Komatsu
Jeremy Rappleye, Hikaru Komatsu
The 2018 World Development Report “Learning to Realize Education’s Promise” provides deep insights into the worldview of the World Bank, the world’s most powerful development institution. Instead of critically questioning the Bank’s explicit claims – as most of the blogs thus far have done – it is also worth pausing...
#WDR2018 Reality Check #14: Where is the World in the WDR 2018? An Appeal to Rename it the ‘American Development Report’ by Jeremy Rappleye & Hikaru Komatsu -
Standards and working conditions 5 October 2017 Celebrating World Teachers Day in Japan
Yuuichiro Izumi
Japan Teachers Union celebrated 70th anniversary this year. We have worked to improve the working conditions of educators as well as rights to education for children.
Celebrating World Teachers Day in Japan