The Yomiuri Shimbun

With compulsory martial arts classes scheduled to start in middle schools in April, it is essential to establish reliable teaching methods that pay sufficient attention to the safety of students.

From the start of the new school year, male and female students in the first and second grades of publicly run middle schools are to take traditional martial arts--judo, kendo or sumo--as part of their health and physical education classes.

These martial arts are inherently part of the athletic culture of Japan.

The government's decision to make the martial arts classes mandatory is designed to help students acquire correct manners, as these are an integral element of martial arts, and improve their physical strength.

However, some parents and other people have expressed anxiety over the possibility of accidents during martial arts classes. Concern is particularly high over judo classes.

According to a survey by Ryo Uchida, an associate professor at Nagoya University who specializes in educational sociology, 114 middle and high school students died in judo accidents across the country during physical education classes and extracurricular activities in the 28 years up to fiscal 2010. Most deaths occurred during extracurricular judo practice, the survey showed.

The survey also showed there were 275 injuries, including paralysis, during judo practice in the 27 years up to fiscal 2009.

Ukemi skills essential

First-year students at middle and high schools reportedly accounted for more than 50 percent of the fatalities. Experts have pointed to the failure of judo beginners to master ukemi, the ability to fall properly, making them susceptible to accidents.

Unlike kendo, judo does not require special protective gear or equipment other than judogi, or judo wear. Therefore, it is expected many middle schools will choose to teach judo.

As martial art classes also involve female middle school students, school authorities must be especially careful to prevent judo accidents.

It is important to check such basics as the physical strength and skills of individuals to prevent them from overexerting themselves and provide them with breaks so they can replace the fluids they lose during practice. Teachers in charge of judo classes must acquire sound first-aid capability and fundamental medical knowledge so they can act immediately when someone is injured.

Another concern is that some health and physical education teachers with little martial arts experience will be put in charge of judo classes.

The All Japan Judo Federation has compiled a textbook on teaching methods and a guidebook on safety measures. Boards of education in many parts of the country have been holding training sessions for schoolteachers so judo can be taught safely.

Suitable information needed These efforts are insufficient, however.

Schools should invite local judo experts and retired police officers with judo experience as outside instructors. Having them give instruction alongside schoolteachers would help prevent judo accidents. The Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology Ministry has left preparations for martial arts classes entirely up to the schools. It is a problem that the ministry has failed to confirm how many teachers have experience in teaching judo.

The ministry should analyze the cause of specific judo accidents and provide teachers with information about what concrete measures they should take to prevent accidents. Taking action after an accident is too late.

The ministry must determine what preparations individual schools have made before martial arts classes commence. Depending on the situation, it may become necessary for the ministry to spend more time and effort on arrangements to ensure judo is taught safely.