https://mainichi.jp/articles/20251228/k00/00m/040/031000c
In early June, the Nagasaki City Board of Education sent an email informing principals of 67 municipal elementary schools about how to handle a certain booklet, informing them, "Do not leave it in the library or elsewhere, but store it in the staff room or principal's office."
The booklet is titled "Understanding Japan's Defense: Your First Defense White Paper 2024." It is the first paper version produced by the Ministry of Defense and the Self-Defense Forces for upper elementary school students through high school students, and began being distributed to public elementary schools in 2025. Some people are confused by the contents of the booklet.
The 2012 edition of the booklet begins with the question, "Why are the Self-Defense Forces necessary?" and goes on to explain the importance of "deterrence," stating that "it is necessary to protect Japan's independence, peace, and security," and "to make people think, 'Let's not attack Japan.'"
Regarding Russia's invasion of Ukraine, he asked, "Why was Ukraine invaded by Russia?" and then explained, "There was a time when Ukraine's defense capabilities against Russia were insufficient." This statement was written in the "National Defense Strategy," one of three security-related documents approved by the Cabinet in 2022, in the form of stating the reasons why Japan needs a deterrent force.
Regarding the situation around Japan, the report gives specific country names, saying that China "continues to engage in intimidating activities," North Korea "is a major threat to Japan with its nuclear development and missiles passing over Japan," and Russia "is actively engaged in activities around Japan, including the Northern Territories."
The Ministry of Defense hopes that the booklets will be used in various settings, including elementary school libraries as needed, and has consulted with prefectural boards of education about distributing them.
According to the Nagasaki City Board of Education, after receiving a call from the Nagasaki Prefectural Board of Education, the Ministry of Defense sent 10 copies to each school in late May. Around the same time, the city board of education reviewed the contents of the white paper and became aware of its mention of neighboring countries.
Nagasaki City has a long history of active exchange with other countries, including China, and elementary schools are attended by students with a variety of roots. A city board of education official explained the reason for sending the email to the principal, saying, "We wanted to avoid any children being hurt when they saw the booklet without a teacher's explanation."
One elementary school in the city has placed the booklet on a file rack in the staff room, and one of the school's administrators said, "We can't provide all of the contents (of the booklet) as reading material for children."
When sixth-grade students study the workings of the Cabinet in social studies, the Ministry of Defense is also included in the content. While this administrator acknowledged the possibility of using the booklet as a "reference for teachers when answering children's questions," he said, "if immature children are shown the entire booklet as reading material, it could lead to misunderstandings."
According to the Ministry of Defense, a total of approximately 6,100 booklets were distributed to approximately 2,400 schools nationwide, accounting for roughly 10% of all public elementary schools, and printing and shipping cost a total of approximately 1.3 million yen.
When the Mainichi Shimbun interviewed prefectural boards of education about the distribution, one local board that had approved the distribution explained, "We expressed our concerns (to the Ministry of Defense) about the content, such as the invasion of Ukraine, but the Ministry of Defense responded that it was the official national position decided by the Cabinet, so we decided it would be difficult to refuse to send it." This reveals the confusion of those involved in education administration. (By Hinata Beika and Ogata Arina)
by YamatoRyu2006