[h=1]City of Osaka passes 'Kimigayo' ordinance[/h] The Yomiuri Shimbun
OSAKA--The Osaka City Assembly has passed an ordinance to oblige teachers to stand up and sing the "Kimigayo" national anthem at school ceremonies.
A bill for the ordinance was submitted by Mayor toru hashimoto to the assembly on Tuesday, the opening day of its session. In addition to Osaka Ishin no Kai, which has a majority in the assembly and is led by Hashimoto, New Komeito and the Liberal Democratic Party supported the bill after seeking revisions to part of it.
The ordinance obliges all teachers and workers in the city's public schools to stand up and sing "Kimigayo" at school ceremonies. It also obliges the city's public facilities to fly the Hinomaru national flag at all times.
Source
OSAKA —
The Osaka Prefectural Board of Education has revealed that eight teachers in the prefecture declined to stand and sing the Japanese national anthem at high school graduation ceremonies which took place on Friday.
The reports come days after the Supreme Court dismissed two suits from 375 teachers and educational professionals requesting a ban on the enforced singing of the "Kimigayo," Japan's national anthem, in schools. The court earlier this month ruled 4-1 that such orders are constitutional.
The issue of enforced singing of the Japanese national anthem has long been a contentious one, with many teachers refusing to stand and sing the song at school. In some cases, dissenting teachers received reprimands, pay cuts or were suspended.
Speaking to reporters after the graduation ceremonies, Osaka Mayor Toru Hashimoto said, "Perhaps these people mistakenly think they have the right to continue as public servants no matter what they do. I'd like to see an end put to this behavior."
8 Osaka teachers to be punished for refusal to sing national anthem ? Japan Today: Japan News and Discussion
Thanks for your comments everyone!
Well some teachers refused to sing it already :
Are there any country allowing "public" school teachers not to stand and sing national anthem in the world ???
Those 8 teachers are typical radical extremists of Japan Teachers' Union, and objecting anything about "something national" or "anything emperor" or similar.
I don't think its required most places in the US.
In Japan, national anthem is played at graduation ceremony and entrance ceremony. Probably twice a year at school, and those ceremonies are regarded as special occasions. What is your "Special Occasions" in US public schools ?except on special occasions.
You say "no students are forced so stand or sing it even at "special occasions". ?Also, no students are forced so stand or sing it
Petaris, I have some questions:
In Japan, national anthem is played at graduation ceremony and entrance ceremony. Probably twice a year at school, and those ceremonies are regarded as special occasions. What is your "Special Occasions" in US public schools ?
You say "no students are forced so stand or sing it even at "special occasions". ?
Your confirmation shall be appreciated.
I don't remember ever reciting the pledge of allegiance beyond elementary school, and even then, not all of the elementary schools I went to had the custom of reciting the pledge.
Aside from sporting events or other occasions (ceremonies, parades, special functions etc), I can't remember hearing the national anthem elsewhere. Standing or placing your hand over your heart may not be required, but it's certainly expected, so there's peer pressure to comply.
I can't even imagine what it would be like if we had to sing/recite it at school everyday. Everyone would lipsynch.