Articles from Japan
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Standards and working conditions 16 December 2024 Japan's education crisis: New survey calls for urgent action
In liaison with Education International (EI) “Go Public! Fund Education” campaign, the Japan Teachers’ Union (JTU) unveiled a new survey which shows the country's educators are grappling with long working hours, additional extracurricular activities, and no significant improvement in working conditions.
Japan's education crisis: New survey calls for urgent action -
Go public! Fund education 2 July 2024 Go Public! G7 milestone achieved by Education International and member solidarity
Education International (EI), alongside member organisations from G7 countries, sent a powerful message about the fundamental role of education unions and social dialogue ahead of the G7 Italy 2024 Ministerial meeting on Education.
Go Public! G7 milestone achieved by Education International and member solidarity -
Democracy 27 May 2024 Fostering peace through education: A priority for Japanese and Korean unions
In a world overrun with conflict and war, the story of education unions in Japan and Korea is an example of how education can be used to build peace. The two nations share a complicated history. They have fought on and off since at least the 7th Century. In 1910,...
Fostering peace through education: A priority for Japanese and Korean unions -
Standards and working conditions 16 May 2024 Japan: Union demands changes to address teacher workload and well-being
As Japanese educators face daunting workloads and extended hours, the Japanese Teachers’ Union has launched the campaign, "Schools in Crisis! Sustainable School System for Quality Education and Educators' Well-being," to advocate for comprehensive reforms, including increased funding and systemic changes in public education.
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Fighting the commercialisation of education 23 January 2024 Japan: Education union calls for government action as teachers average daily workload exceeds 11 hours
During their national assembly, the Japan Teachers’ Union (JTU) called on authorities to implement seven recommendations to improve the situation of the public education system and educators.
Japan: Education union calls for government action as teachers average daily workload exceeds 11 hours -
Standards and working conditions 12 October 2023 Japan: Union-led ongoing campaign to demand a reform of educators’ working conditions
The Japan Teachers' Union (JTU) has launched a campaign urging the government to ensure the well-being of teachers and education support personnel, improve their living and working conditions, and invest in educators and the public education system.
Japan: Union-led ongoing campaign to demand a reform of educators’ working conditions -
Standards and working conditions 10 October 2023 Educator well-being in focus: International report reveals alarming challenges
A milestone report launched on World Mental Health Day, offers a comprehensive look at the health and well-being of education personnel worldwide.
Educator well-being in focus: International report reveals alarming challenges -
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.
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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.
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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 -
Achieving Sustainable Development Goal 4 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.
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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.