Last year, I attended my daughter's elementary school graduation and the opening ceremony of her new middle school. Sitting through the rituals gave rise to a number of musings.
At the elementary school graduation in March I sat in the front row of the parents' section. When the singing of "Kimigayo," Japan's national anthem, was announced, I saw the principal, vice principal and visiting school board officials stand up. None of the parents joined them. Out of the corner of my eye I saw a few parents who were videotaping sit down, while others remained standing.
A couple of weeks later at the junior high school opening convocation, I deliberately stood at the back to witness what would happen. There were about a dozen or so parents standing; most were filming, and one or two were late arrivals. What happened when "Kimigayo" was announced? Again, the principal, vice principal and school board officials stood up. Among the ranks of some 130 parents, about six to 12 joined them.