The Education of Human Rights in Japan: A Comparative Analysis of Civics Textbooks in Senior High School between the 1970s and 2010s
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| Title: | The Education of Human Rights in Japan: A Comparative Analysis of Civics Textbooks in Senior High School between the 1970s and 2010s |
|---|---|
| Language: | English |
| Authors: | Helix Lo (ORCID |
| Source: | Asia Pacific Journal of Education. 2026 46(1):20-38. |
| Availability: | Routledge. Available from: Taylor & Francis, Ltd. 530 Walnut Street Suite 850, Philadelphia, PA 19106. Tel: 800-354-1420; Tel: 215-625-8900; Fax: 215-207-0050; Web site: http://www.tandf.co.uk/journals |
| Peer Reviewed: | Y |
| Page Count: | 19 |
| Publication Date: | 2026 |
| Document Type: | Journal Articles Reports - Research |
| Education Level: | High Schools Secondary Education |
| Descriptors: | Foreign Countries, Civics, Citizenship Education, Textbook Evaluation, Textbooks, High Schools, Secondary School Curriculum, Civil Rights, Content Analysis, Theory Practice Relationship, Educational History, Minority Groups, Disproportionate Representation |
| Geographic Terms: | Japan |
| DOI: | 10.1080/02188791.2024.2325678 |
| ISSN: | 0218-8791 1742-6855 |
| Abstract: | The education of human rights, or Human Rights Education (HRE), has been increasingly vital for the preservation and dissemination of human rights values in contemporary time. Japan, as an East Asian democracy, is not an exception. Yet there has been limited scholarship in English on the efforts that the Japanese government has invested in educating human rights through formal citizenship education. To what extent did (does) Japanese formal citizenship education value human rights concepts and address domestic human rights issues? This study approaches the civics textbooks of Japanese senior high schools published in the 1970s-2010s by adopting comparative content analyses. It suggests that, first, there is an increasing usage of human rights conceptual terms with Liberty as the most frequently found word in the textbooks. Second, however, limited knowledge and empowerment are provided when the human rights issues of three underprivileged groups in Japan -- the Burakumin, the Ainu, and foreign residents -- are taught. This study suggests the government to put greater efforts into educating students about domestic human rights issues. Future studies are also suggested to continue investigating the development of HRE in Japan and to locate the reasons behind the reluctance in teaching domestic human rights issues there. |
| Abstractor: | As Provided |
| Entry Date: | 2026 |
| Accession Number: | EJ1495790 |
| Database: | ERIC |
| Abstract: | The education of human rights, or Human Rights Education (HRE), has been increasingly vital for the preservation and dissemination of human rights values in contemporary time. Japan, as an East Asian democracy, is not an exception. Yet there has been limited scholarship in English on the efforts that the Japanese government has invested in educating human rights through formal citizenship education. To what extent did (does) Japanese formal citizenship education value human rights concepts and address domestic human rights issues? This study approaches the civics textbooks of Japanese senior high schools published in the 1970s-2010s by adopting comparative content analyses. It suggests that, first, there is an increasing usage of human rights conceptual terms with Liberty as the most frequently found word in the textbooks. Second, however, limited knowledge and empowerment are provided when the human rights issues of three underprivileged groups in Japan -- the Burakumin, the Ainu, and foreign residents -- are taught. This study suggests the government to put greater efforts into educating students about domestic human rights issues. Future studies are also suggested to continue investigating the development of HRE in Japan and to locate the reasons behind the reluctance in teaching domestic human rights issues there. |
|---|---|
| ISSN: | 0218-8791 1742-6855 |
| DOI: | 10.1080/02188791.2024.2325678 |
