I believe Japanese Boy Scouting is an appealing topic because it gives a glimpse to some of the nationalistic values that Japan holds. Think of our own Boy Scouts of America. This organization represents an American ideal. By studying Japanese Boy Scouting, one can understand some of the major ideals that Japan holds. This page is primarily concerned with compairing Japanese Scouting to American Scouting for this purpose.

 

Japanese Scouting Timeline:

 

1907: Lord Bayden Powell founds the first Boy Scout troop in England

 

1910: Scouting takes root in U.S.

 

1909: The first Boy Scout Troops in Japan appear, they are short lived.

 

1912: The first viable troop in Japan is charted, they are all Brittish boys, with a Brittish leader.

 

1920: Three Japanese delegates attend the first World Scout Jamboree.

 

1924: Japan sends a full scout troop to the Second World Scout Jamboree.

 

1939-1945: World War II puts a complete stop to scouting.

 

1950: Japan is re-installed into the World Organization of the Scout Movement.

 

1955: By This point, there are over 80,000 members in the "Boy Scouts of Japan"

 

1971: Boy Scouts of Japan change their name to Boy Scouts of Nippon

 

1995: Boy Scouts of Nippon becomes coeducational

 

1995: Boy Scouts of Nippon change their name again to the Scout Association of Japan because not many people know what Nippon means.

 

1998: Boy Scouts Of America introduce the Venturing program. This is their first coed youth organization.

 

 

Membership:

 

Japan: 173,724

U.S.: 4,644,109

 

 

Ranks and Achievements:

BSA	JAS
Scout	Sho-Kyu (Tenderfoot) Scout
Tenderfoot	Ni-Kyu (Second Class) Scout
Secondclass	Ikkyu (First Class) Scout
First Class	Kiku (Flower of a chrysanthemum)
Star	Venture Badge
Life	Venture Scout Award
Eagle	Fuji (Mt. Fuji) Award

 

 

Ranks in American Boy Scouting and the Japanese Association of Scouting progress in a similar way. Notice how both final ranks exhibit a national symbol. The eagle, a symbol of American pride and patriotism and Mt. Fuji, an instantly recognizable symbol of Japan. Note that in the final three ranks in JAS must be completed as a venturing scout.

 

Highest Ranks in Scouting Around The World

 

Organizations:

 

 

BSA	JAS
Cub Scouting	Beaver Scout
Boy Scout	Cub Scout
Venture Scout	Boy Scout
Varsity Scout	Senoir Scout
Sea Scout	Rover/Venture Scout
Order of The Arrow

 

 

Founding Principles:

Japanese Scouting	Scout Motto:	Be Prepared
	Promise:	On my honor, I promise I will do my best to do my duty to God/Buddha and the country, and to obey the Scout Laws, to help other people at all times, and to keep myself physically strong, mentally awake and morally straight.
	Scout Laws:	1. A Scout is faithful 2. A Scout is friendly 3. A Scout is courteous 4. A Scout is kind 5. A Scout is cheerful 6. A Scout is thrifty 7. A Scout is courageous 8. A Scout is thankful

 

 

American Scouting	Scout Motto:	Be Prepared
	Oath:	On my honor, I will do my best, to do my duty to God and my country, to obey the scout law, to help other people at all times, to keep myself phisically strong, mentally awake, and morally straight.
	Scout Law:	1. A Scout is Trustworthy 2. A Scout is Loyal 3. A Scout is Helpful 4. A Scout is Friendly 5. A Scout is Courteous 6. A Scout is Kind 7. A Scout is Obedient 8. A Scout is Cheerful 9. A Scout is Thrifty 10. A Scout is Clean 11. A Scout is Reverent

 

Uniforms:

 

Japanese:

 

American:

    

 

 

This is a promotional video for scout troop 6. This shows a lot of activities that the scouts participate in. It also has a crazy song in the background, which is actually sung in many American boy scout camps.

 

 

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This is a Japanese boy scout song, Hiking to Victory, which is also in English at the end.

 

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This video shows some cub scouts working on a one handed bowline knot. This knot is required in the U.S. as well.

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Japan made a bid, and was accepted to host the 23 World Scout Jamboree, this event takes place every two years, and is a major honor for that country's scouting tradition. This is a long video, but it does show a lot of activities that Japanese Scouts participate in.

 

 

Overall, the JAS and the BSA have many aspects in commen. The both provide a place for young people to expand their experiences. However, some major differences separate them ideologically. For instance, in the BSA, you may be a part of any Religion recognized by the BSA excluding agnostics and atheists. In JAS, the scouts are encouraged to have a strong conviction about God, but are not required. Furthermore, JAS has gone completely coed, while the BSA has only one youth program for females. These differences mark very important values for each country.

 

 

 

Also notice that as a scout progresses from young to mature that there is a greater emphasis on nature in the scouts. Consider the ranks, both the highest in scouting, chrysanthemum, and venturing, Mt.  Fuji, are in the natural world. The United States does this as well with the eagle. Both organizations see the natural world as an important aspect of culture and the collective experience. Both programs offer outdoor activities and programs. For more on Japan and its enviornmental concerns, click here.

 

 

Resources:

www.scout.or.jp/e/intro.html

en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Scout_Association_of_Japan 

histclo.com/Youth/youth/org/sco/country/jap/scoutjap.htm

www2a.biglobe.ne.jp/~scouting/scw-e.html#e-bs