Japan Press Weekly

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2015 February 25 - March 3 [POLITICS]

Authorities should stop imposing Hinomaru & Kimigayo at graduation ceremonies

Akahata editorial (excerpts)

March is the graduation season in Japan and local education authorities are increasing pressure on teachers and students at public schools across the country to bow to the “Hinomaru” (Rising Sun) flag and sing the “Kimigayo” at their graduation ceremonies.

At some junior high school graduation ceremonies in Tokyo, graduating students used to sit face-to-face with teachers, parents, and lower-grade students, and on the platform were displayed the art works made by the graduates. In 2003, the Tokyo Metropolitan Board of Education issued a notice ordering public schools to put up the Hinomaru flag in the center of the platform as well as have all attendees face the flag and bow to it.

In Osaka, the prefectural education board ordered public school principals in 2013 to carefully monitor the teaching staff during the ceremony to make sure they are actually singing the Kimigayo. In Hokkaido, the education authorities are pushing principals to instruct all students to sing the song as loudly as they can.

There are various opinions regarding the Hinomaru and Kimigayo. It is a historical fact that the flag and song were used as symbols of patriotism in Japan’s wars of aggression. It is natural that many people have feelings of resistance toward such symbols. Furthermore, some people refuse to sing the Kimigayo because of their religious beliefs and reluctance should be expected among students who come from nations invaded by Japan during World War II.

When the Hinomaru and Kimigayo were legally designated as the national flag and anthem in 1999, the national government proclaimed that it will not force them on the people. Thus, some public schools in Tokyo had explained to students and their parents that they have no obligation to sing the anthem at the graduation ceremony as they have the right to the freedom of thought. The metropolitan education commission, however, forbade the schools from giving such explanations in 2003.

In a lawsuit filed by Tokyo teachers who were punished with suspension from duty or with pay reductions for refusing to sing the Kimigayo, the Supreme Court ordered the metropolitan government in January 2012 to cancel the punishment, stating that those disciplinary actions were “too severe”. Other courts have since followed suit in similar cases, acknowledging the individual right to have a different view of the world.

After the top court decision, the metropolitan authorities withdrew the first sanctions but again punished the plaintiffs with reprimands. The educational authorities’ vindictiveness is unusual. They should take the court decision seriously and stop bullying teachers immediately.

After all, education should be provided in a free atmosphere to allow the development of rapport with other peoples. The education authorities ought to cease violating the freedom of thought and conscience which are guaranteed by the Japanese Constitution and the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child.


Past related article:
> Court revokes punishment on teachers for refusing to sing ‘Kimigayo’ [January 17, 2015]