Message from the Chief of Division
Shigeo Kazama
The Japanese word "kyo-iku," meaning education, consisists of two words: teaching and bringing up. The etymology of "education" is a Latin word that means to draw out, to guide, to accompany, to build up and even to draw up. Whereas the Japanese "kyo-iku" suggests a direction from the top-down, the Latin-derived "education" suggests a horizontal or even upward movement. Pertaining to the Japanese educational system, it can be said that the first word of "kyo-iku," i.e., teaching, has been overwhelmingly stressed. Today, young people appear to rotest openly against such a system saying it cruel to them. The same must be said for science and physics education. We sometimes tend to regard our teaching activity as the token of holiness. Yet I think now it is necessary for us to stand along side youth to help them bring up their own 'science' and 'physics'.
