Teacher temper over Japan flag laws
From CNN Tokyo Bureau Chief Atika Shubert
TOKYO, Japan (CNN) -- The national anthem and the flag -- both strong symbols of patriotic pride.
But for some in Japan, the flag of the rising sun and the lyrics to the "Kimigayo (The Emperor's Reign)" anthem are painful reminders of the militant nationalism that led to World War II.
Now, the government says public school teachers must honor the flag, stand up and sing the anthem at school ceremonies, whether or not they agree.
If not, they may be fired.
"We are educating young minds to respect the flag and the anthem. It is a teacher's duty. If they don't do their job, they will be held responsible," says Kimikazu Tatsumi from the Tokyo Board of Education
In some cases, right-wing protesters have harassed unrepentant teachers.
"If you don't like it, leave the country!" yells one activist outside a school, sparking a heated argument.
The rules have created a big stir in Japan.
In April, around 180 teachers at metropolitan senior high schools or schools for disabled children were reprimanded for behaving "unprofessionally" during graduation ceremonies the previous month, the education board said.
Among the regulations: the national flag must be placed at the front of the auditorium stage; all teachers must stand and face the flag; and all must sing the national anthem.
To make sure that teachers were observing the rules, special monitors were dispatched to school ceremonies to take note of which teachers weren't standing or singing.
Critics call the law "forced patriotism" and say it doesn't belong in Japan's modern democracy.
English teacher Toru Kondo has repeatedly refused to stand for the anthem.
After numerous reprimands, he has now been threatened with a salary cut.
But Toru is fighting back with a lawsuit, calling the regulation unconstitutional.
"Please stand up but don't force people who don't like to stand up and sing the national anthem," he said.
"I will not stand up, never stand up."
Some parents fear the effect the rules will have on their children.
"These are my children. They are not the hostages or resources of the Tokyo Board of Education," one mother says.
"I cannot stand that our children will be taught by teachers forced into teaching something they don't believe in."
The enforcement of the law, which was put forth in 1999 by then prime minister Keizo Obuchi, comes at a unique time in Japan's post-WWII history.
Current Prime Minister Junichiro Koizumi has recently sent troops from its Self Defense Force to Iraq, amid much public fear the soldiers could be drawn into conflict which would go against Japan's pacifist 1947 constitution.
Though the constitution allows for Japan only to have forces for self-defense, parliament passed and enacted a law in July that allowed troops to be sent to help rebuild Iraq.
The law, however, specifies that military personnel be sent only to "non-combat" zones.
