Japan Press Weekly

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2015 April 8 - 14 [SOCIAL ISSUES]

Abe gov’t intends to force Hinomaru & Kimigayo on national universities

Education Minister Shimomura Hakubun on April 10 expressed his intent to make a request to national universities that they raise the “Hinomaru” (rising sun) flag and sing the “Kimigayo” (praising the imperial reign) song at their entrance and graduation ceremonies.

This followed Prime Minister Abe Shinzo’s remark on the previous day. At an Upper House Budget Committee meeting, Abe said that raising the Hinomaru flag and singing the Kimigayo should take place in such ceremonies because national universities are dependent on taxpayer money.

Shimomura told reporters that the government does not set any teaching guidelines for national universities and that it is up to each university whether to accept the request.

The Education Ministry, however, decides on the amount of state subsidies for national universities by considering the extent of their “efforts” toward the government-designed university reform plan. The cabinet ministers’ remarks will necessarily put pressure on every university.

Both the Hinomaru and Kimigayo were used as symbols of Japan’s war of aggression. When they were designated as the national flag and national anthem in 1999, the administration of the Liberal Democratic Party pledged not to “force” them on the people.

The Abe government’s stance is going against the Japanese Constitution which guarantees university autonomy as well as the freedom of thought and conscience.


Past related article:
> Authorities should stop imposing Hinomaru & Kimigayo at graduation ceremonies [March 1, 2015]