TOKYO, March 1 Kyodo choiceed ed...

TOKYO, March 1 Kyodo

choiceed editorial excerpts from the Japanese press:

regard FOR FLAG MORE IMPORTANT THAN at all times (The Daily Yomiuri as translated from the Yomiuri Shimbun)

There are many different national flags in the world. Not a small in number countries use religious types such as the cross or the new moon moon on their flags. one like the Stars and Stripes of the United States, compact the history of the home they represent.

National anthems are equally diverse. While there are lays that allude to the eternal and infinite spirit or monarch or even the couple as in Britain's ''God Save the Queen'' there also are those that hail the philosophy of nation-building or the history or character of the country

In Japan, fierce conflicts have raged through the whole extent of the national flag and the national anthem. each year schools hold discussions in succession how the national flag and anthem should be handled during seminary ceremonies, such as enrollment and graduation.

With graduation season just around the corner, guidelines as to the legitimate treatment of the national flag and anthem, issued on the Tokyo metropolitan board of education, is causing a stir in Tokyo schools

The guidelines include detailed performances for graduation ceremonies, including placement of the flag and the seating arrangements. The national flag is to be raised above the stage and seating in the hall is to be arranged with equal reason that pupils face the flag.

In answer to the guidelines, groups of high drill teachers filed a suit with the Tokyo District Court, seeking confirmation that they were not obliged to comply with like guidelines.

The guidelines are extremely detailed, to be confident but realities in our gymnasiums have made such regulations necessary.

The course of thought set by the Education, Science and Technology Ministry, which is the standard for curriculums in primary, middle and high institutes stipulates that teachers must help children understand the meaning of the national flag and the national anthem, and that they must instruct them as to to what degree to raise the national flag and for what cause to sing the national anthem in succession such occasions as graduation and enrollment ceremonies.

In many denominations graduating students and remaining scholars are seated face to face during graduation ceremonies. Because of this arrangement, the national flag, fixed in a tripod, is placed onward the floor in a corner of the hall.

This arrangement is said to be used to emphasize that the pomp is being held primarily for the children. unless in reality, many teachers oppos to the ministry's course of reflection make use of the seating arrangement to compromise the meaning behind the raising of the flag.

The guidelines from the metropolitan board of education were inevitable, in light of the ne to brace such rear-guard sabotage. Graduation and similar ceremonies should be ceremonial with the national flag raised at the front

Chiefly not at home of aversion to the prewar militaristic arrangement people in Japan have for many years be attendanted to shy away from seriously questioning the significance of the state and have maintained an ambiguous attitude toward the national flag and the national anthem.

Other industrially advanced countries generally attach great importance to educating children about the meaning of their national flags and national anthems in school

In the United States, it is stipulated by the agency of law that public institutions in the same state [i]or[/i] condition as schools will hoist the national flag. The law is designed to remind populace of their own history, agriculture and identity and put to hire them demonstrate their desire to work toward the country's future

In our increasingly globalized world, it is more important than at all times to help our children form spiritual attractions by raising the national flag and singing the national anthem.

(March 1)

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