High school student refuses to stand for the Kimigayo

It is already 12 years since teachers in Tokyo were force to stand and sing the National Anthem, Kimigayo, at commencement ceremonies. Also in Osaka, an ordinance was made 3 years ago to make it possible to dismiss teachers when they disobey three times the orders to stand up and sing.. But last year, a student graduating a Osaka City municipal high school handed out a flyer at the gate of the school on the day of the ceremony and refused to stand and sing.

On February 21th, there was a meeting in Tokyo to hear the story of this student, KIMURA Hibiki, now a first year undergraduate. She said, “I was taught from my father that Kimigayo is a song wishing the eternity of Emperors’ rule”. As the day of the ceremony drew near, she was still wavering. But encouraged by the headmaster, she remained seated during the ceremony, although her legs were trembling. (SASAKI Yumi)
Photo: KIMURA Hibiki telling her story

「足をガクガク」させながら貫いた不起立～高校生の話に感動ひろがる

東京の教育現場で「日の丸・君が代」強制が始まって12年がたつ。大阪でも3年前に「職員基本条例」が作られ、3回不起立をした教員は免職になる。こうした 中で昨年（2014年）の春、卒業式の当日に学校の門前で自分の思いを書いたチラシを配り、不起立をした大阪府立高校の卒業生がいた。2月21日東京・ス ペースたんぽぽで、その高校生・木村ひびきさん（現在大学1年）のお話を聞く会が開かれた。70名の参加者で会場はあふれた。木村さんは、父親から「君が 代」が「天皇の世が続くように」という歌だと聞いていた。中学校の卒業式が近づき、不起立をするかどうか迷っていた。まわりの反応がこわかったからだ。 （佐々木有美） 

＊写真＝木村ひびきさん