Minister of Education Rejects Concluding Observation to Japanese Government
On September 9, 2022, the United Nations Committee on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities issued its concluding observation to the Japanese government. On September 13, the Minister of Education said at a press conference that it would not cease "the inclusive education system" they call, which means segregated education indeed, as a future measure.
The Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology has been working toward the realization of the inclusive education system by creating conditions in which children with disabilities and children without disabilities can spend as much time together as possible, and learning places that meet the educational needs of each individual. As the number of children enrolled in special-needs schools and special-needs classes is increasing due to a better understanding of special-needs classes, we do not intend to cease special-needs education provided in various places to learn. As I mentioned earlier, We will continue to strive to promote the inclusive education system through teacher assignments, taking into account the purpose of the recommendations.
Source: “Press Conference of Keiko Nagaoka, Minister of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology” (https://www.mext.go.jp/b_menu/daijin/detail/mext_00300.html)
Not to cease the current special support education (segregated education, for example, special needs school system) means to reject the recommendation, although the Committee on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities recommended the Japanese government to cease segregated education in its concluding observation. If they do not comply with their treaty obligations, why did the Japanese government ratify the Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities? The Japanese government must cease segregated education and realize inclusive education.
