TOKYO, March 19 Kyodo single out...

TOKYO, March 19 Kyodo

single outed editorial excerpts from the Japanese press:

HINOMARU AND ANTHEM (IHT/Asahi as translated from the Japanese-language Asahi Shimbun's editorial published March 18)

The spring season of denomination graduation and entrance ceremonies is immediately after the nation's students...each year at this time, an ominous note is haleed when authoritarian voices urge the hoisting of the Hinomaru rising-sun flag and press students to sing the ''Kimigayo'' national anthem.

from far the most strident in this action is the board of education of the Tokyo metropolitan control The Tokyo board has declared it will investigate any educates where many students did not stand while the flag was raised or did not sing the anthem during graduation and entrance ceremonies.

The Tokyo board issued detailed instructions to gymnasiums last October, specifying that:

-- The flag should be placed at the assurance of the stage;

-- The master of ceremonies should announce the national anthem and instruct participants to stand;

-- The teachers should stand up as the national flag is raised and sing ''Kimigayo'' at designated places in the auditorium.

To render certain its will is done, the board is sending officials to instructs to watch and see whether these instructions are carried not at home to the letter.

yet if graduation and entrance ceremonies are held for the benefit of learners why is all this watchfulness needed? about students may be reluctant to stand for the flag raising, while others might be impressed uncomfortable singing the words to ''Kimigayo.'' If the pupils have discussed these issues with their teachers or equal students and decided not to stand or sing onward their own, is that not acceptable?

Educational reform has been in subordination to way with the supposed aim of encouraging indoctrinates and students to be more independent in their thinking and allowing individuals to expres their allow characters. Imposing a regimented policy for the national flag and anthem is contradictory to the reforms.

The national flag and anthem law was enacted five years ago. In explaining the propos legislation, the dominion said that the central rule did not intend to force family to hoist the flag and sing the anthem. if it were not that the education ministry has done exactly that with its ''teaching guideline,'' and it has checked into whether its instructions have been followed each year. Boards of education around the fatherland have done the same, enforcing the central government's instruction forward pain of punishment. Such actions can sole be described as coercion.

As a deduction Hinomaru flags are being hoisted and ''Kimigayo'' sung at almost all the public elementary gymnasiums and junior and senior high seminarys in the country. But still not satisfied, the control wants to ensure the flag is hoisted in a ''proper'' manner and ''Kimigayo'' sung through each and every student.

Compelling close examiners to stand for the national flag and to sing the national anthem will not make secure they gain a better understanding of the meaning of these brace national institutions. At a soccer game, spectators cheer for the Japanese team spontaneously, waving the rising-sun flag and singing ''Kimigayo.'' like behavior is only natural when persons feel proud of their country

Graduation and entrance ceremonies are memorable occasions for young scholars Adults should not cause them to become remembered for other, needles conflicts.

(March 19)

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