OK. So I divided my train of thought into two posts. Provided I held your interest through the first post you are back for more. Many scandalous practices in Japan promote change but they only come about after somebody has died. The earthquake in 1995 and then in 2011 was my first example.
Next, bullying at schools. Bullying at schools is something that happens practically everywhere. Most people have stories of feeling awkward during their teen years. Japan however has almost a historical and cultural love/hate connection to bullying. Japan's culture practically promotes conformity with the majority. If you are different, if you speak out, if you break the rules then you are wrong. Even corporal punishment was until recently an acceptable way of educating and reforming behavior that was deemed undesirable. Now corporal punishment is illegal but there is no legislation to punish those that break the law. If you rob a bank you go to jail. If you physically abuse a student at school....your boss might give you a stern talking to. While measures to stem the bullying of students by their peers has been in place for many years it is only recently that bullying by teachers or corporal punishment by teachers has come to light.
In late 2012 a high school student in Osaka complained that his school basketball coach had slapped his face on several occasions as punishment for poor performance as the team captain. When his complaint went unanswered and when the slapping continued he committed suicide. It is only after this terrible incident that the country realizes that there might be something wrong with corporal punishment. Not the whole country came to this realization though. Former Tokyo governor Shintaro Ishihara said "Corporal punishment is one process of imprinting" and is necessary for raising a child. If somebody was ever in need of a slap it certainly is this guy.
For more on Corporal Punishment in Japan and Mr. Ishihara's opinion: Japan Times "Two Sides to Corporal Punishment"
