JCP in Tokyo Metropolitan Assembly questions compulsory 'Hinomaru' and 'Kimigayo' at schools

A Japanese Communist Party representative in the Tokyo Metropolitan Assembly criticized the Tokyo Metropolitan Government for penalizing metropolitan school teachers for not complying with the Board of Education order for them to put up the "Hinomaru" flag and sing "Kimigayo" at school ceremonies.

In the assembler's plenary session on June 8, JCP representative Oyama Tomoko said, "Punishing teachers on the grounds that students did not sing 'Kimigayo' amounts to violating the freedom of conscience."

Tokyo Governor Ishihara Shintaro defended the punishment, saying, "Public officials should reasonably be held responsible for not fulfilling their duties."

Asked if it is reasonable that students' freedom of conscience guaranteed by the Constitution is not protected, the governor avoided answering.

During the session, the Tokyo Board of Education chair proposed to set up a new body to strictly discipline those teachers who were punished for not obeying the regulations on "Hinomaru" and "Kimigayo" at school ceremonies. (end)