Tokyo schools ordered to follow stricter 'Hinomaru' 'Kimigayo' instructions

The Tokyo Metropolitan Board of Education on October 23 ordered metropolitan schools including senior high schools to hoist the "Hinomaru" flag and sing the "Kimigayo" song at school ceremonies, such as graduation exercises.

Teachers and staff members will have to be held responsible if they do not follow the instructions. The Board of Education in its past notification only mentioned the possibility of holding teachers responsible for the failure to follow its order.

The new notification gives schools a number of detailed instructions to follow including hoisting the "Hinomaru" flag at the center of a ceremony stage. Teachers and staff members are expected to face the flag and sing the "Kimigayo" song in the standing at attention position.

Tokyo Teachers and Staff Union Chair Nakayama Shin published a statement in protest against the latest notification. He criticized the Tokyo Education Committee for violating freedom of thought and conscience guaranteed by the Constitution and for attempting to control school education. (end)