Japanese Scouting – Comparison & Contrast
Total Page：16
File Type：pdf, Size：1020Kb
DOCTORATE THESIS · SCOUTING IN JAPAN · DAVID BALL – Japanese Scouting – Comparison & Contrast It is tradition in the Japanese Scouting Program that the outgoing Governor of their state or prefecture becomes the honorary Scout Executive of that area. They are considered high in wisdom and worthy of respect. Governor Soichiro Yamamoto, of the Miyagi Prefecture produced this calligraphy graphic which reads, “Plowing a field is endless.” His follow up note says, “The more you cultivate your character, the more brilliant and refined you become. This process is endless.” I gratefully received this one-of-a-kind handmade calligraphy graphic in May 2014 as a gift of international friendship from District Commissioner, Isao Watanabe of the Miyagi Prefecture – childhood home of my late mother, Etsuko Takahashii Ball At its essence the world of Scouting is amazingly similar from Japan to America. Undoubtedly there are contrasts due to our language and cultural differences, but my discovery is how much this enhances the program, and the appreciation for both. D A V I D B A L L DOCTORATE THESIS · SCOUTING IN JAPAN · DAVID BALL It was my Japanese mother, not my American father who enrolled me and my brother into the Boys Scouts near our suburb home in Houston in the early 1970’s. It still astounds us how a woman born and raised in Japan would know about an American organization for boys that promoted such great values, experiences, responsibility, and citizenship. We asked her years later what made her do it. She calmly replied she did not intend to raise Japanese sons in America, but instead raise proud American sons. She then added that the ideal “American Boy” was a Boy Scout. Her decision would set a direction for our lives. Over the years, I learned to appreciate both my American heritage and my Japanese heritage. To my delight, I discovered that Japan too had Boy Scouts. In recent years I’ve also discovered how similar the Japanese programs are to the American brand. I’ve also found out the differences, which motivated me to create this thesis for my Doctorate of Commissioner Science. –David Ball DOCTORATE THESIS · SCOUTING IN JAPAN · DAVID BALL I am the embodiment of this cross-cultural examination as I am half Japanese and half American by birth. Of course, my allegiance is without question American, but my life has been an exercise of the blending of Asia and America. I feel especially qualified to unveil the Japanese Scout program to the American Scouts because, as an American Eagle Scout, and now adult leader on both the unit side and district leadership side, also Wood Badge trained, I am familiar with important contrasts in our two programs that still allow Scouting to work. History of Scouting in Japan The Scout Movement spread to Japan in 1913 soon after it was founded in England in 1907 by Lord Robert Baden-Powell. Similarly, Scouting came to America in 1910. After a few failed attempts to root Scouting in Japan, the National Association was organized in Japan as the “Boy Scouts of Japan” in 1922, and the organization became a founder-member of the International Conference of the Boy Scout Movement during its inaugural meeting in From my personal collection, two Paris, France. The BSJ name lasted until Japanese Scout bollo ties. Camp Yamanaka worn by my uncle Isao, and 1971, when it was changed to “Boy a BSN 50th Anniversary (1972) Scouts of Nippon”. “Nippon” is the correct way of saying “Japan”. After a separation from Scouting during World War II, the National Association was re- admitted as a full member of International Con- ference of the Scout Movement in 1950. For some, this would seem to be a small thing. Knowing what I know from family tales of war, poverty, starvation, bombs, and death, I imagine this war-torn nation, and the world, felt like the Japanese readmission to Scouting was HUGE in their normalization process. Being accepted back to a friendly nation status may have been truly helped by the beliefs in Scouting. Historically, post World War II Japan embraced American ideas and those of the west in their desire to modernize. Within ten years of the end of the war, Scout membership had grown to 80,000. In 1957, the first Wood Badge course by that name was held in Japan. DOCTORATE THESIS · SCOUTING IN JAPAN · DAVID BALL In 1956, Japan held the First Japan-wide Jamboree. The Second Nippon Jamboree came in 1959, shortly after the conclusion of the 10th World Scout Jamboree in the Philippines. National Jamborees have become very popular in Japan as they have in America. From my personal collection, these are Japanese National Jamboree patches dating back to the first one in 1956. This 16th Jamboree patch among other Scout memorobilia was given to me personally by the District Commissioner from my mother’s home town of Sendai, Japan in a meeting we had together last year (2014) when I visited Japan. The cartoon samurai warrior is the symbol of Sendai– “City of Holy Trees” DOCTORATE THESIS · SCOUTING IN JAPAN · DAVID BALL From there, the Scout Movement steadily grew on the so- cial, cultural and traditional soil of Japan, and established an eminent place for itself in social education for young people. In 1995, the National Association was re-named from “Boy Scouts of Nippon”(BSN) to “Scout Association of Japan” (SAJ) as it was decided that the proper national name “Nippon” was not well known worldwide. Also, doors opened to the girls/female youth in all divisions in that year. After that point, to use “Boy Scout” would Bo–y Su-ka-oo-toh Nihon Ren Mei strictly be incorrect. However, it was decided that the Japan Federation official name is to be in the Japanese language, and the English expression is for the convenience and benefit of overseas Scouts to connect with Japanese Scouting*. Of course, this is very different than America, as Boy Scouting & Cub Scouting has remained male. However, Venture Scouting in America is coed. *The Japanese Boy Scout identification strip patch is affixed above the right pocket like the American strip as is the The SAJ celebrated its 75th Anniversary International Scout patch. of founding of the National Scout Asso- The Japanese flag patch is above the right pocket also, in contrast to the American ciation in 1997 and hosted the 2nd Scout uniform which carries the flag on Asia-Pacific Regional Top Leaders’ Sum- the upper right sleeve. mit Conference in Gotemba and Tokyo. In recent years, the SAJ held several international youth events which include the 15th Nippon Jamboree in Shizuoka in August 2010 and the 10th Nippon Agoonoree in Hyogo in August 2008. The 16th Nippon Jamboree (16NJ) was held in 2013 in Kirara-hama, Yamaguchi, Japan as the dry-run event for the upcoming 23rd World Scout Jamboree Japanese Scouts are actively involved in the international understanding and cooperation programs by their Rover Scouts with the Bangladesh Scouts, Scouts of China, Korea Scout Association and Uganda Scouts Association. Today the Scout population boasts 143,272 members. This was the 40th Anniversary Camporee patch from Sendai, Japan in July of 2008. This camp no longer exists as it was completely washed away in the earthquake, tsunami of March 2011. DOCTORATE THESIS · SCOUTING IN JAPAN · DAVID BALL Japanese Scout Response to the 2011 Earthquake & Tsunami In March of 2011, northern Japan experienced a 9.0 earthquake and tsunami wave which devastated everything in its path; nearly 6 miles into the City of Sendai, Japan. According to Mr. Takeshi Koyama, District Commissioner of that district, the Scouts were used for important relief aid to the displaced citizens with food, water and shelter. Also they helped clear out debris and clean up many salvageable homes. DOCTORATE THESIS · SCOUTING IN JAPAN · DAVID BALL The 23rd World Scout Jamboree will take place at Kirara Beach, Yamaguchi in late July - early August 2015. The theme will be “Watakushi Wa: A Spirit of Unity”. The kanji is also a part of the theme. SAJ Overall Statement Purpose What do the Japanese Scouts say about themselves? How they define their Scouting Program? “The aim of Scouting is universal - to help young people to become responsible humanitarian citizens, who can appreciate and practice loyalty, courage and self-respect in an international perspective. With social support and the cooperation of volunteer leaders, the Scout Movement in Japan provides fun-filled, challenging programs, with an emphasis on developing each youth member’s character, health, abilities and sense of service to others. It is a non-political, voluntary movement, open to all regardless of origin, race, gender or creed. Those who have physical or mental difficulties are also welcomed, to achieve the ideal of Scouting for all. We are proud that Founder Robert Baden-Powell’s world-wide spirit of Scouting blended with our Japanese traditions and spirit is now blossoming out and moving on to meet the changing needs of society and young people.” Kunisada Kume International Commissioner, SAJ DOCTORATE THESIS · SCOUTING IN JAPAN · DAVID BALL Overview of SAJ Scout activities Japanese Scouts, like Scouts in all countries, are involved in a wide range of outdoor activities including camping, boating, hiking, orienteering, swimming, and other. I was told that there is considerably less space available for these activities than in America however. The Japanese for the most part believe in a kind of amorphous synthesis of Bud- dhism and Shintoism, but religious commitment for the most part is not as intense as in the West, especially America. The Japanese do not have the negative attitude toward religion that is often expressed by the Western political left.