Petition for Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology
On February 7,2012 the second study meeting of judo accidents in schools was held at the First Memebers’ Building of the House of Representatives. One hundred and fifty seats were all occupied, including many local politicians (prefecture, city, ward assembly members) in addition to diet members, reflecting strong interest in this issue. At the study meeting, the first speaker Dr. Masato Noji, Head of Department of Neurosurgery Ashigarakami Prefectural Hospital and a member of MEXT Investigation & Research Collaborators Meeting on Accidents in Physical Education Activities, discussed acceleration injury and second impact syndrome as the mechanism of brain injuries in judo accidents. He also stressed the risk of concussion and “stun (to loose consciousness)” using strangling techniques.
Three mothers of JJAVA told the audience about the judo incidents their children had experienced as well as their current conditions. A JJAVA representative then explained judo injuries in Japan today, steps taken in Europe and the USA to reduce judo incidents and a proposal for the introduction of safety measures. The last speaker from the Ministry talked about steps taken for the compulsory introduction of martial arts as well as the notification of the safety guide.
In the Q&A session local assembly members asked the following questions.
“When did the Ministry of Education learn about the high rate of death in judo?”
“Why is the death rate in judo not decreasing every year?”
“Before a safety system is ensured, perhaps tradition and cultural aspects of judo may be taught in the classroom rather than starting physical training immediately.”
Following the meeting JJAVA submitted a petition to the Ministry of Education and the Secretary General of the Democratic Party regarding compulsory implementation of martial arts in junior high schools and judo accidents in school supervised activities. The following two points are highlighted in the petition along with examples to be considered.
1.Safety assurance structure that Japanese people can accept.
2.Neutral third party investigation committee must be established.
