City of Osaka passes 'Kimigayo' ordinance
- Thread starter Davey
- Start date
- 19 May 2007
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I honestly don't see the problem. I hardly see anything right wing about it, it is the national anthem...
- 20 Aug 2003
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Dave,
The historic problem with this is that the wording in the anthem is not clear, and some people feel it can be misconstrued as nationalistic. Teachers don't always want to be seen in that light, so they often refuse. This is just another idiotic governmental plan. Wait, and you'll see some defiance in the news.
The historic problem with this is that the wording in the anthem is not clear, and some people feel it can be misconstrued as nationalistic. Teachers don't always want to be seen in that light, so they often refuse. This is just another idiotic governmental plan. Wait, and you'll see some defiance in the news.
Astroboy
先輩
- 5 Dec 2007
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When I was a school kid, I didn't hear Kimigayo at school because the school was dominated by teachers of Japan Teachers' Union.
Japan Teachers' Union was (so-called) Anti-US Imperialism, but it supported Maosim and Pro-North Korea's Kim Il-Sung. From my experience, they (radical extremists of Japan Teachers' Union) see "national anthem" as a symbol of Traditional Japan and try to change it.
This is not an idiotic plan of government, but a restoration plan, just a part of normalization, because some of public schools in Japan were controlled by radical extremists of Japan Teachers' Union, and those schools are often seen in Osaka, Kobe and Kyoto .
If you are courious, you better talk with your Japanese neighbours or friends and ask them whether they are against Kimigayo or not.
I have never met persons who were against Kimigayo in my life.
Japan Teachers' Union was (so-called) Anti-US Imperialism, but it supported Maosim and Pro-North Korea's Kim Il-Sung. From my experience, they (radical extremists of Japan Teachers' Union) see "national anthem" as a symbol of Traditional Japan and try to change it.
This is not an idiotic plan of government, but a restoration plan, just a part of normalization, because some of public schools in Japan were controlled by radical extremists of Japan Teachers' Union, and those schools are often seen in Osaka, Kobe and Kyoto .
If you are courious, you better talk with your Japanese neighbours or friends and ask them whether they are against Kimigayo or not.
I have never met persons who were against Kimigayo in my life.
Astroboy
先輩
- 5 Dec 2007
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Problem of Japan is .... local authorities cannot fire those teachers because they insist it is a matter of "Freedom of Spirit" and must be guaranteed by constitution. However, Osaka city mayor believe that respecting national anthem is a matter of "Courtesy/Manner" as a citizen.
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.
- 3 Aug 2007
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Astroboy
先輩
- 5 Dec 2007
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I have never seen that Americans are sitting and neglecting national anthem while it is played.
Astroboy
先輩
- 5 Dec 2007
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USA establishes "Flag Code".
The "Flag Code" includes instruction and rules on such topics as the pledge of allegiance, display and use of the flag by civilians, time and
occasions for display, position and manner of display, and how to show respect for the flag. The "Code" also grants to the President the authority to modify the rules governing the flag.
U.S. Senate: 404 Error Page
But I cannot find law concerning "national anthem".
The "Flag Code" includes instruction and rules on such topics as the pledge of allegiance, display and use of the flag by civilians, time and
occasions for display, position and manner of display, and how to show respect for the flag. The "Code" also grants to the President the authority to modify the rules governing the flag.
U.S. Senate: 404 Error Page
But I cannot find law concerning "national anthem".
- 3 Aug 2007
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The Pledge of Allegiance isn't even required, or if it is the schools seem fine with ignoring it. I remember there was a big deal made about it a few years back but nothing ever came of it. Many classrooms don't even have a flag anymore. They do say the pledge every morning at our elementary school but its not said at all at our high school, except on special occasions. Also, no students are forced so stand or sing it.
Source: I work for a public school.
Source: I work for a public school.
Astroboy
先輩
- 5 Dec 2007
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Petaris, I have some questions:
Your confirmation shall be appreciated.
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.
- 8 Aug 2005
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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.
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.
- 3 Aug 2007
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Astroboy,
Apologies for the late reply! I've been super busy lately and not been able to keep up with the forum.
Special occasions could be graduation, a disaster, a concert, a sports game, or something else. Its hard to narrow it down too far as there is so much variance of when its done and its not always done at those examples either.
Yes, it is not forced in any way. It is requested and you may feel obligated if everyone else is doing it but there isn't anyone there holding your job/graduation over your head as a consequence of not doing it.
Lycaenion
後輩
- 10 Dec 2010
- 7
- 1
Let me tell you, nobody in the Netherlands actually knows the national anthem (okay, maybe the first verse, but that's it) besides professional sports people. And that's only because they have to mouth it whenever it's played. I can't even imagine what it would be like if we had to sing/recite it at school everyday. Everyone would lipsynch.
No school in modern Japan would make students sing the national anthem everyday. It is used only in special occasions as Astroboy says.
- 7 Jun 2008
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There are various reasons why people may not wish to recite a national pledge or anthem, including objection to government policies, the way in which such anthems have been used in the past, or forced patriotism. Why shouldn't they be free to express these sentiments?
Americans are NOT --- and cannot be -- required to recite our pledge of allegiance or national anthem. Refusal to do so would be protected as free speech or expression under the First Amendment to our Constitution. The US Supreme Court has even held that laws prohibiting burning or desecrating the US flag are unconstitutional.
The reason you seldom see people refusing to acknowledge our pledge or anthem is social pressure, not legal requirements.
Americans are NOT --- and cannot be -- required to recite our pledge of allegiance or national anthem. Refusal to do so would be protected as free speech or expression under the First Amendment to our Constitution. The US Supreme Court has even held that laws prohibiting burning or desecrating the US flag are unconstitutional.
The reason you seldom see people refusing to acknowledge our pledge or anthem is social pressure, not legal requirements.
