This study explores the efficacy of K-12 Global Citizenship Education (GCE) in Japan, evaluating its impact on personal empowerment and elucidating the challenges and prospects associated with the GCE curriculum. Aligned with the United Nations Educational, Scientific, and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) framework, which envisions GCE as a means to instill respect for human rights, social justice, diversity, gender equality, and environmental sustainability while nurturing responsible global citizenship, our research pursues two primary inquiries: (1) To what extent does the GCE curriculum empower students? and (2) How do the duration and consistency of GCE implementation influence empowerment levels? To answer these pivotal questions, we conducted in-depth interviews with educators from selected UNESCO Associated Schools in Japan and college students who had graduated from those schools. This interdisciplinary approach yielded insights from six teachers and six students, all proficient in English as native speakers or bilinguals. Employing semi-structured one-on-one interviews conducted via online videoconferencing, we encouraged the conversational exploration of GCE topics while collecting data on specific facets. Our study aspires to enrich comprehension regarding the integration of GCE within the Japanese educational landscape and its potential to foster personal empowerment. The outcomes of this research also hold the potential to inform and shape GCE policies and practices in Japan, offering invaluable insights into the nuances of its implementation and the challenges it may encounter in this unique context.

Authors:
Kentaro Shintaku, Soka University of America, United States
Tomoko Takahashi, Soka Univeristy of America, United States

About the Presenter(s)
Dr Tomoko Takahashi is a University Professor/Principal Lecturer at Soka Univeristy of America in United States

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