Japan Press Weekly

Tweet

2011 June 15 - 21 [EDUCATION]

Teachers’ union protests against Saitama governor’s remark on ‘Kimigayo’

A teachers’ union in Saitama Prefecture on June 15 protested against Governor Ueda Kiyoshi’s remark suggesting the mandatory singing of “Kimigayo,” the national anthem of Japan, at public schools under threat of punishment.

Governor Ueda said on June 13 at a press conference, “Those who cannot love their national anthem or flag are unqualified to be teachers in Japan, so they had better to be teachers in China or somewhere else.”

He made the remark referring to the newly established ordinance of Osaka prefecture which compels teachers to stand up and sing “Kimigayo” at school ceremonies.

Regarding the remark, the union, affiliated with the All Japan Teachers and Staff Union (Zenkyo), gave the following comment in protest:

“We strongly criticize his repeated verbal abuse that makes light of teachers’ right to ‘freedom of thought and conscience,’ the core item of fundamental human rights which should be respected, especially in the education.

“Governor Ueda’s remark violates Article 19 of the Constitution (freedom of thought and conscience), and suggests compelling teachers to stick to a single viewpoint on the ‘national flag and anthem.’ It is really outrageous.”