This paper explores the importance of learning citizenship in local schools, especially for the
younger generation. In recent years, it has been pointed out that the number of young people who
are not likely to be interested in local communities or society has been increasing due to the lack
of opportunity for social involvement and community involvement. They are spiritless, ignorant,
and indifferent to their local communities and society. This trend will build a dependence on the
central government, and it will also be an issue of concern for social developments. Therefore, it
is now necessary to have an independent sense of engagement in a local community, especially
for young people.
First of all, this paper defines citizenship and outlines the reasons why we should discuss promoting
citizenship in the present situation. In particular, it focuses on a community and its surrounding
area with many examples for teaching citizenship. Then, it explores the importance and
potential learning activities in a local community, such as the importance of the challenge of
teaching local issues. Next, as an actual example, it looks at the results of a 3-year research project,
“The development of teacher-training based on the local education network,” which was
carried out by Momoyama Gakuin University from 20022005. Finally, it explores a way of introducing
citizenship education into the school curriculum.
In this new century, we recognize the arrival of a new period of citizenship. This paper, it is
hoped, will lead to the spread of citizenship education throughout the Japanese school system.departmental bulletin pape
