Top Japanese school faces backlash over Palestinian poetry in entrance exam

South China Morning PostEN 1 min read 100% complete by KyodoFebruary 14, 2026 at 06:07 AM

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Nada Junior High School, a prestigious all-boys school in Kobe, Japan, faced controversy after using Palestinian poetry in its January entrance exam. The exam asked students to interpret poems by Mosab Abu Toha and Zeina Azzam, focusing on life in Palestine. The inclusion of these poems sparked debate on Japanese social media, with some criticizing the test for presenting a one-sided view lacking Israeli perspectives. Others defended the school's choice, citing the global attention on the situation in Gaza. Both poets expressed support for the use of their work but also concern over the controversy. Hundreds of sixth-grade students take the entrance exam every year to gain admission to the school.

Key Entities & Roles

Key Player Opposition Context

Israel 50% Kobe 60% Palestine 70% Zeina Azzam ×270% Nada Junior High School 80% Mosab Abu Toha ×480% Gaza Strip ×390% Japan ×290%

Keywords

palestinian poetry 90% entrance exam 90% social media backlash 70% war and displacement 70% gaza strip 60% political controversy 60% zeina azzam 50% nada junior high school 50% mosab abu toha 50% reading comprehension 40%

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South China Morning Post

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