Officially certified textbooks should be introduced to improve moral education, which is important to prepare children for social life.

Censorship and indoctrination. That says it all.

After hearing about the politians morality in just the last week I am not too sure who should be recommending anything to do with moral education.

Run for the hills!

I think there should be compulsory parenting lessons. With an emphasis on how to raise a child and what to do if you need support.

Unless they plan to send the entire Tokyo Diet back to elementary school for a refresher course I don't see this improving things much.

Just teach the word 'regrettable' and when to use it. Sorted.

Yes, to hell with teaching facts to get them ready for the workforce. Instead we need subjective moral education. What is this for, a madrassa?

Yep! Moral education in Japan needs to start with politicians & bureaucrats!

Then work your way down to the kids!

Ha ha! Teach ethics from textbooks! Reminds me of that Dilbert cartoon in which the participants of an ethics seminar promised to write positive reviews of the presenter in return for his allowing them to skip the seminar. Couldn't find that exact cartoon, but this is similar in spirit: http://lynn-a.blogspot.jp/2013/07/cartoon-of-day.html

Nope. Ethics comes from a good upbringing, a just society, and a diverse education. That's all.

Morals and social skills, respect and responsibility has pretty much disappeared from this and other society in recent times. The new generation needs to learn some values, respect, manners, and that it is not all about their entitlement to what ever they desire. Start with the kids so they grow up with morals and social skills that they can in turn impart on their kids, I am all for getting respect and morals back into society.

One generation works hard to get ahead, the next generation gets it handed to them easily and squanders it.

Unfortunately many children do not get any moral education or character development at home. Despite the idea that teaching character is really the parent's job, to be played out in the confines of the home, the reality is that many children do not have parents that are intentionally challenging them to live lives of kindness, integrity, courage and forgiveness. Character education builds relationships and creates well-being and provides positive school environments. Moral values are extremely important to your overall well-being and provides a structure for you life. In the end moral values will allow you to have peace and harmony in your life and allow you to live in a manner that you can be proud of and fulfilling.

The new generation needs to learn some values, respect, manners, and that it is not all about their entitlement to what ever they desire.

It wasn't the younger generation who took and took and took until there was nothing left. And then borrowed trillions to make up the shortfall for the life they were 'entitled' to. It is, however, the younger generation who will have to work harder and longer, to ensure that those before them can continue to retire into the life that they want. My generation has left behind a pretty poor example.

the reality is that many children do not have parents that are intentionally challenging them to live lives of kindness, integrity, courage and forgiveness

I wouldn't disagree with you. But those characteristics should imbue all of the child's school life - not be sectioned into one part of it. For example, how can you teach children violence is wrong, when corporal punished it employed to widely and with such minimum punishments?

Whose version of 'morals' will be taught?

@zorken I don't think it is possible for schools to take the place of parents. In the US we have horrible inner city schools because a few badly raised kids actually disrupt the class for everyone else. It is so bad that these students actually physically assault the teachers. I think the only solution for these kids is a military academy where they can receive the "structure" (read asswhooping ) they need. They need 24 hour observation at least.