BY KEN NASUKAWA

Large scale student demonstrations broke out several times in many cities in France in October. According to the Japan Times, approximately 275,000 high school students who assembled from all over the country demanded an increase in the number of teachers and to improve the school environment. Regrettably, excited students turned into rioters in the downtown areas, colliding with riot squads in the demonstrations which left a large number of people injured and serious material damage. As a result, 82 students were arrested. The French Government, however, accepted consultation with the students and will introduce reconciliation legislation.
In another area, in Japan the size of classes is also being discussed these days, but large classes are still normal for us. So, being only slightly acquainted with this problem, we do not feel it to be so important. Moreover, Japanese high school students, who are studying under the same conditions, could never think of making a protest action like their French counterparts. Considering this difference between the two nations, we can say that democracy in Japan has not yet matured. The U.S. and other western countries which are models for Japan have produced a genuine competitive society into which democracy has deeply infiltrated, and children are educated to be members of the society with a deep sense of independence, and adults accept their freedom to act.
On the contrary, in Japan, they have not assimilated the form yet, so high school students are apt to behave obediently to the end. Actually, our country has not yet allowed children the same rights as adults. They treat the children too childishly. On that account, if Japanese students raised a revolt, it could not happen that the government would talk with the students directly. In ﾒpeacefulﾓ modern Japan, even college students who have attained adulthood do not think personally about education seriously, or act independently, despite the fact that thinking for oneself about the future of oneﾕs own country is the beginning of democracy.
Under the circumstances, we must reform our awareness of democratization on the individual level. But that doesn't mean denying all of the modest Japanese aesthetics which have been maintained since olden times. It is not the same thing but we need to remove the passive sense of values, realizing again the decision-making authority which we ourselves possess. And we should teach thoroughly real democracy from elementary school in compulsory education.
In spite the critical phase in education Japan is facing today, the Japanese papers and mass media did no more than report the demonstrations, without discussion. Those concerned with mass communication should give a big write up to this problem, and create discussion.