Scout Association of Japan - Scouting Program and Ideals

Scouting Program and Ideals

See also: Ranks in the Scout Association of Japan

The Scout Motto is Sonaeyo Tsuneni (そなえよつねに?), translating as "Be Prepared" in Japanese.

The Scout emblem incorporates the sacred mirror Yata no Kagami, which represents wisdom and honesty.

The Japanese Scout uniform consists of a brown vest, brown pants with light blue pocket, and light blue cap for Beaver Scouts; a blue shirt, pants, and cap for Cub Scouts; khaki with green line edge shirt and pants, and a green beret for Boy Scouts; and a khaki shirt and pants, and green beret for Venture, Rover, and adult Scouts.

The ranks are:

• Tenderfoot (Sho-kyu)
• 2nd Class (Ni-kyu)
• 1st Class (Ikkyu)
• Chrysanthemum (Kiku)

The program sections are:

• Beaver Scouts (Japanese: ビーバースカウト), age 6 to 8
• Cub Scouts (Japanese: カブスカウト), age 8 to 11
• Boy Scouts (Japanese: ボーイスカウト), age 11 to 14
• Venture Scouts (Japanese: ベンチャースカウト), age 14 to 20
• Rover Scouts (Japanese: ローバースカウト), age 18 to 24

The Scout Oath:

Japanese:	Roman characters:	English translation:
Japanese: 私は、名誉にかけて、次の3条の実行をちかいます。 1.神(仏)と国とに誠を尽くしおきてを守ります。 1.いつも、他の人々をたすけます。 1.からだを強くし、心をすこやかに、徳を養います。	Watakushi wa, meiyo nikakete, tsugi no 3(san)-jō no jikkō wo chikaimasu. 1(hitotsu). Kami (hotoke) to kuni to ni makoto wo tsukushi okite wo mamorimasu. 1. Itsumo, ta no hitobito wo tasukemasu. 1. Karada wo tsuyoku shi, kokoro wo sukoyaka ni, toku wo yashinaimasu.	"On my honor, I promise to 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."

The Scout Law:

• A Scout is faithful. (スカウトは誠実である。?)
• A Scout is friendly. (スカウトは友情にあつい。?)
• A Scout is courteous. (スカウトは礼儀正しい。?)
• A Scout is kind. (スカウトは親切である。?)
• A Scout is cheerful. (スカウトは快活である。?)
• A Scout is thrifty. (スカウトは質素である。?)
• A Scout is courageous. (スカウトは勇敢である。?)
• A Scout is thankful. (スカウトは感謝の心をもつ。?)

The highest rank of the Boy Scouts is the Kiku Scout (菊スカウト?). "Kiku" is the Japanese word for chrysanthemum.

The highest rank of the Venture Scouts is the Fuji Scout (富士スカウト?). It is named after Mount Fuji.