Constitutional Foundations: A Cross-Cultural Series

This series was inspired by a personal revelation about the lack of constitutional education in Japan, which became apparent when I saw a friend's second-grade daughter learning about the constitution in a Portland public school. Motivated to address this gap, I partnered with a lawyer teaching at several Japanese universities to create 10 classes that demystify the Japanese Constitution for Japanese residents in both the USA and Japan. The curriculum expanded to include a special session on Okinawa, reflecting participant interest in its unique political and historical role. This series not only covers the constitutional principles but also aims to provide a space for Japanese individuals to engage in the kind of constitutional discourse rarely encountered in their upbringing, fostering a deeper understanding and community dialogue on these essential matters.