Japan Press Weekly

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2011 August 17 - 23 TOP3 [EDUCATION]

653 public figures oppose ‘Kimigayo’ regulation at school

A group of 653 people in the fields of education and culture expressed their support for an appeal calling on Osaka Governor Hashimoto Toru to abolish the ordinance compelling teachers to stand up and sing ‘Kimigayo’ at public school events.

Hashimoto’s local political party in May used their majority force in the prefectural assembly to forcibly enact the ordinance.

Representing 51 appeal initiators, Niwa Toru, professor at Osaka University of Economics and Law, on August 19 at a news conference released the appeal and a list of the appeal supporters.

The 51 initiators include former President of Japan Education Research Association Horio Teruhisa and one of Japan’s major film directors Yamada Yoji.

The appeal emphasizes the fact that the ordinance requiring teachers to stand up and sing ‘Kimigayo’ seriously violates the freedom of thought and creed guaranteed by Article 19 of the Japanese Constitution.

Regarding the fact that Hashimoto and his political party plan to enact another ordinance with the aim to punish teachers who refuse to obey the regulations, the appeal states that if such an ordinance is enacted, “it will likely cause a serious problem by which education will be influenced by threats by the powers of the day.”