#Japan #Tokyo #civic education #Youth Engagement #Japan JC

Empowering Youth Political Participation Through Special Classes

On June 5, 2023, the Japan Junior Chamber (JJC), a non-profit organization based in Chiyoda, Tokyo, launched a special initiative aimed at increasing political participation among young individuals. This initiative, titled the "Sovereign Awareness Improvement Curriculum," is being implemented in high schools across Japan to enhance the political engagement mindset among youth.

This year marks the 10th anniversary of lowering the voting age to 18. As Japan approaches the upcoming House of Councillors election, numerous elections nationwide are expected throughout the year. However, the Ministry of Internal Affairs and Communications reported that voter turnout among young people remains alarmingly low, with only 35.42% of 18- and 19-year-olds voting in the 2022 House of Councillors election, and 33.99% in their 20s. Projections for the upcoming House of Representatives election indicate only slight improvements in turnout, with rates of 39.43% for 18- and 19-year-olds and 34.62% for those in their 20s to 24.

In response to this concern, JJC has identified one cause of low turnout as political apathy. They have been working to mitigate this disinterest among the younger generations by introducing the Sovereign Awareness Improvement Curriculum, which began rollout across high schools nationally in 2024. In the first half of this year alone, JJC has performed in 19 schools across 11 prefectures, engaging approximately 3,300 students, showcasing consistent progress in cultivating political awareness.

One innovative aspect of this program was implemented at Saiki Honan High School in Oita Prefecture on July 9, where a polling station for early voting was set up, allowing students and faculty to participate in the election process directly. Currently, JJC has received numerous inquiries regarding the program and plans to expand its implementation to five more schools shortly.

The weekend before the House of Councillors election serves as a crucial opportunity for high school students to deepen their interest in political matters. Media coverage of this initiative is invaluable in highlighting the importance of civic education in fostering an engaged and informed population.

Overview of the Sovereign Awareness Improvement Curriculum

The curriculum is structured in two parts: Part One and Part Two.

In Part One, students watch an animated film themed around the topic of school uniforms. This film showcases characters with differing opinions express their views in a lively discussion. After watching, students engage in group discussions to express which character they relate to the most and vote for their favorite character. Through this voting process, students gain a sense of how their opinions can affect society while learning the value of diverse perspectives, the significance of representing minority views, and the importance of dialogue in a democracy.

Part Two addresses how to critically engage with information in today’s world, which is rife with misinformation. The curriculum aims to equip students with skills for balanced information gathering by considering various perspectives, thus empowering them to make informed decisions in significant situations like voting.

Highlights from the Curriculum Implementation

During curriculum sessions held across various locations, group discussions were sparked by the animation viewed. Students shared their thoughts on the attributes they found relatable or compelling in the characters, ultimately deciding who to vote for. Additionally, to expand access to political and societal issues among youth, university students have been mentoring high school students during these classes.

Feedback from participating high school students has been overwhelmingly positive:

• - "I enjoyed the classes with animations, discussions, and quizzes!"
• - "I found it fascinating to learn about the complexities involved in acknowledging diverse opinions."
• - "While the example was about school uniforms, I now understand the significance of voting on matters that impact our lives and country, so I approach voting more seriously."
• - "I realized that as voters, we carry the responsibility to make informed choices."
• - "It's crucial to avoid accepting single opinions blindly and seek information from multiple sources."
• - "In voting, we should not only consider our immediate interests but also evaluate broader perspectives."

Future Implementation Plans

In the upcoming years, the Sovereign Awareness Improvement Curriculum will continue to expand. Currently planned locations for future sessions include Wakayama, Osaka, Ibaraki, Tokyo, and Hiroshima.

For further inquiries on implementing the Sovereign Awareness Improvement Curriculum or for additional details, please feel free to contact:

Japan Junior Chamber
2025 National Committee Sovereign Awareness Improvement Committee
E-mail: seisakukousien03@gmail.com
(Chairperson: Junichi Kanemoto / Vice-Chairperson: Genki Kanda)