When Teachers Rebel
8:00 am and the bell rings. Families and relatives were dressed up in their best outfits while they excitedly waited for the graduation to start. The Master of Ceremony approached center stage and gave the signal for everyone to stand for the presentation of Hinomaru and “Kimigayo”. Katsuki sensei and a few of his students refused to stand and sing. A few days later, Katsuki sensei was given a pay cut and was redistricted to a poorer school prefecture. He was punished because he and his students did not participate in the patriotic activities during the ceremony. Sensei told the higher ups that he refused to participate in an Emperor worship ceremony when imperialism has been banned in their country for decades. He was not …show more content…
Patronage of schools came from the Emperor’s good grace so those who take advantage of this opportunity should remember that they could not continue their schooling without His Majesty (Hall). Such a blatant explanation induces a feeling of gratitude within the educated class, strengthening His subjects’ loyalty towards him. The principles behind Section V came from an earlier document, the Imperial Rescript on Education (1890). Along with that document, the Ministry of Education introduced a new song into the school …show more content…
“By 2003, 99% of public [schools]… hoisted the flag and sang the anthem during graduation” (Young). However, there were still teachers who refused to sing “Kimigayo”. In fact, many teachers brought this case to court. Around 400 teachers filed a lawsuit against the Metropolitan Board of Education (Young). They argue that “Kimigayo” goes against their Freedom of Conscience. They are allowed to express their opinion by refusing to sing. Fortunately for them, the court ruled against the Metropolitan Board of Education and “awarded the teachers 30,000 yen each in damages for emotional distress. The Metropolitan Board of Education appealed the decision” (Young) to a higher court. The teachers may have been lucky this time, but the Higher Tokyo Court is filled with more conservative members who support “Kimigayo” in schools
8:00 am and the bell rings. Families and relatives were dressed up in their best outfits while they excitedly waited for the graduation to start. The Master of Ceremony approached center stage and gave the signal for everyone to stand for the presentation of Hinomaru and “Kimigayo”. Katsuki sensei and a few of his students refused to stand and sing. A few days later, Katsuki sensei was given a pay cut and was redistricted to a poorer school prefecture. He was punished because he and his students did not participate in the patriotic activities during the ceremony. Sensei told the higher ups that he refused to participate in an Emperor worship ceremony when imperialism has been banned in their country for decades. He was not …show more content…
Patronage of schools came from the Emperor’s good grace so those who take advantage of this opportunity should remember that they could not continue their schooling without His Majesty (Hall). Such a blatant explanation induces a feeling of gratitude within the educated class, strengthening His subjects’ loyalty towards him. The principles behind Section V came from an earlier document, the Imperial Rescript on Education (1890). Along with that document, the Ministry of Education introduced a new song into the school …show more content…
“By 2003, 99% of public [schools]… hoisted the flag and sang the anthem during graduation” (Young). However, there were still teachers who refused to sing “Kimigayo”. In fact, many teachers brought this case to court. Around 400 teachers filed a lawsuit against the Metropolitan Board of Education (Young). They argue that “Kimigayo” goes against their Freedom of Conscience. They are allowed to express their opinion by refusing to sing. Fortunately for them, the court ruled against the Metropolitan Board of Education and “awarded the teachers 30,000 yen each in damages for emotional distress. The Metropolitan Board of Education appealed the decision” (Young) to a higher court. The teachers may have been lucky this time, but the Higher Tokyo Court is filled with more conservative members who support “Kimigayo” in schools