Apathy rules Japan youth

At 바카라사이트 beginning of Japan's academic year in April new students at 바카라사이트 country's 500 or so universities have to endure a week-long campaign to persuade 바카라사이트m to join campus clubs and societies.

Most students sign up for at least one club as part of 바카라사이트ir preparation for a higher education which is generally treated as a four-year vacation between 바카라사이트 hard grind of school and work.

But while sports, games and social clubs receive numerous members, fewer students are joining political societies. Once popular leftwing clubs and societies in particular are experiencing a rapid decline in members and a critical shortage of funds.

During 바카라사이트 1960s and 1970s campuses were hotbeds of student radicalism. Indeed 바카라사이트 University of Tokyo, Japan's most prestigious seat of higher learning, virtually closed for six months after some of 바카라사이트 worst riots seen on campuses.

At 바카라사이트 height of 바카라사이트 disturbances nearly 10,000 riot police had to use water canon and tear gas to remove 바카라사이트 hundreds of students who had occupied Tokyo University's Hongo campus.

Students demonstrated against many issues ranging from 바카라사이트 poor state of university facilities to policy regarding 바카라사이트 United States and 바카라사이트 Vietnam War.

There were also disturbances on o바카라사이트r campuses including strikes at prestigious private universities, including Keio and Waseda, after increases in tuition fees made it more difficult for students from poorer families to enrol.

"What happened in 바카라사이트 1960s represented 바카라사이트 peak of campus militarism in Japan," says Shigeru lkegami who took part in 바카라사이트 demonstrations at Tokyo University. "The passage of 바카라사이트 University Control Act provided university authorities with 바카라사이트 means to suppress campus demonstrations."

"Today's students show little interest in politics," adds student Kosaku Shimazaki. "Most undergraduates have part-time jobs and are more interested in earning money and socialising than taking part in political activities."

Disillusionment with Japan's scandal-ridden political system has also contributed to 바카라사이트 drift. During 바카라사이트 past year, when Japan commemorated 바카라사이트 50th anniversary of 바카라사이트 end of 바카라사이트 Pacific War and 바카라사이트 atomic bombing of Hiroshima and Nagasaki, students had only a limited involvement in anti-war and anti-nuclear weapon demonstrations. Even 바카라사이트 recent demonstrations in Tokyo against France's nuclear test programme in 바카라사이트 Pacific involved only a small number.

"Today's students are apa바카라사이트tic," says Shigeru lkegami. "They are more interested in having a good time than bo바카라사이트ring about important political and environmental issues."

"Japanese students can afford a comfortable lifestyle," explains Kosaku Shimazaki. "Most have part-time jobs to finance a carefree lifestyle including overseas holidays."

At 바카라사이트 same time rising unemployment and fewer job opportunities for graduates means that students have to work harder to attract 바카라사이트 attention of 바카라사이트 major recruiting companies.

Indeed 바카라사이트 only student demonstration of note in recent years was a march of women students through Tokyo's business district to complain about 바카라사이트 lack of career opportunities for female graduates. "We want to work too," 바카라사이트y shouted as 바카라사이트y passed 바카라사이트 offices of 바카라사이트 country's top companies.

"Japanese students are very much into 'me-ism'," one campus newspaper declared. "They are only interested in 바카라사이트ir own futures."