Kanagawa targets teachers who refuse to stand to sing national anthem

The Kanagawa prefectural education board decided Monday to continue collecting the names of teachers who refuse to stand when attendants at school ceremonies sing the "Kimigayo" national anthem, despite a recommendation by a prefectural panel on protection of personal information not to do so, board officials said.
"It's undesirable there are such school staff members who don't stand to sing the anthem, as enrollment and graduation ceremonies are important events," said Takaichi Hikichi, head of the education board.
The education board has since March 2006 ordered the principals of prefecture-run high schools to report the names of teachers who refuse to stand and sing the anthem at school ceremonies.
The panel determined in January that the practice is inappropriate, saying it is not legitimate or necessary to touch on such information that falls under the category of personal beliefs and creeds.
A 58-year-old male teacher who is seeking nullification of the order said, "The education board doesn't understand the weight of the panel recommendation. We may resort to legal measures next."
Kanagawa Gov Shigefumi Matsuzawa, meanwhile, said of the education board's decision, "It's an international norm to respect the national anthem and flag. I expect teachers who refuse to stand and sing the anthem to consider their responsibility as a teacher," he said.