Law Concerning the National Flag and Anthem
Japan's Law Concerning the National Flag and Anthem (国旗及び国歌に関する法律, kokki oyobi kokka ni kan suru hōritsu) or Proclamation No. 127 states only that:
- The Hinomaru is the national flag of Japan.
- Kimi ga Yo is the national anthem of Japan
The law took effect on 13 August, 1999. A vote in the House of Councillors had passed the measure on August 9 by a vote of 166 to 71, following passage by the House of Representatives on July 22 by a vote of 403 to 86.
In 1999, at a Hiroshima Prefecture high school graduation ceremony, several teachers refused to participate in the raising of the flag and singing of Kimi ga Yo. The school principal, caught between the demands of the Ministry of Education and the teachers, eventually committed suicide. The incident renewed interest in the official status of the national anthem and the national flag, which culminated in the proposal and passage of this law.
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