The current prime minister Shizo Abe, among his many staunch nationalist aspirations, is determined to 'nurture a love for the country' to the extent that he has decreed it to be a mandatory part of the primary school curriculum from 2018. Students will receive suitably 'patriotic' education and will be assessed on their 'love for Japan'.
Given that Cian usually wears either his Kerry county jersey or his Irish rugby O2 top to school, I can see the boy having trouble passing that particular exam.
As his (Irish) father I am more bemused than annoyed by this. We live in Japan and Cian is enrolled in the national school system so there are things I have to accept with good grace. Nor do I worry all that much that 'patriotic education' will turn the boy into a fully fledged, samurai-sword wielding kamikaze pilot. But I do think such a policy betrays a barely concealed sense of insecurity on the part of the government. There is much uncertainty about the future of Japan, from a sharply declining population to being bullied by an increasingly assertive China; but somehow I don't think the solution to these problems will come from repeatedly singing kimigayo (the Japanese national anthem) and learning how wonderful the Emperor is.
Anyway once Cian declares for the Kerry minors all this will become a moot issue.
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| A heartbroken Shinzo Abe waves goodbye to Cian at Shannon Airport just before the start of the first round of the Munster Football Championship. |
Just a different take on it, and it may have something to do with the recent 'non compulsory' Irish learning here. Fostering a (greater) love of country could generate more interest among the population, younger ones in particular, in the affairs of the country. More people might vote and seek public office to do their duty! Of course given the way your current PM got elected last time this could be the most amazing Cock up since they let Richard Chamberlain into the country!!
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