Other advanced countries prioritize political education. Things like mock elections should be promoted for students in Japan. If young people aren’t encouraged to participate in politics, we’ll end up

Before voting, they should have some idea of each parties agenda. Have some general perspective of current world affairs. Have been taught japan's past actions correctly & without bias. BTW, I've never met a young Japanese person who showed any interest in politics. Getting 18 yr olds to the polls will b a challenge of all challenges. Good Luck-

Too much time would be taken away from exam hell testing.

I would leave out the "other" in that first sentence, but otherwise I agree.

In Canadian schools many teachers encourage heated classroom discussion, organize parliamentary-style debate and hold inter-school competitions which go all the way to the national level. I have served as a judge for such competitions for many years. Debaters must research and state their position, defend it rigorously against their opponent's counter-argument, as well as point out the flaws in their opponent's views.

When civic elections come along many teachers use the opportunity to take the debate to a political level. Students must understand the party platforms, take on roles as candidates, question the various candidates and role-play the elections in every respect including going to mock polls on voting day.

What Wc626 says is true. Students need a full understanding to participate thoughtfully (instead of voting for the cutest candidate of the one who promises the most.) And yes, youth are often disinterested in many things (not just politics) until a passionate teacher turns them on to something they didn't know was a talent or interest they possessed--a musical instrument, astronomy, calculus, oratory and debate.

Sillygirl points out that Japanese culture might resist this type of education because of the exam system. However, the notion of heated argument, counter-argument and winning or losing an argument wouldn't fly either. It's so much better to arrive at some kind of plap that serves harmony.

Things like mock elections should be promoted for students in Japan.

How would you possibly hold mock elections for students that would in any way resemble the circus that are actual elections in Japan? I mean you've got so many factors -- dominance of the LDP, highy-fragmented opposition parties, too-short a campaigning period, high number of politicians inheriting seats, etc.