Editorial

15:00 JST, September 9, 2025

Signs of declining academic performance are evident among both elementary school and junior high school students. The prevailing view is that the COVID-19 pandemic and the use of digital devices for prolonged spells have contributed to this situation.

Under such circumstances, can it truly be said that pushing ahead with digitizing textbooks is in the best interests of children? Concerns cannot be dispelled.

A working group of the Central Council for Education under the Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology Ministry has released the final outline of its draft regarding the utilization of digital textbooks. In the outline, the working group views digital textbooks, which are currently considered “alternative teaching materials,” as official textbooks, mandating state screening and their use in classrooms.

It envisions that local boards........

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