A pristine Hinomaru flag adorned a corner of the Foreign Ministry press briefing room Friday, the day a law officially recognizing it as the national flag took effect.

It was one of several Hinomaru flags hoisted at various government buildings that day, while some government ministries and agencies began studies into establishing guidelines to outline when the flag should be displayed.

Foreign Minister Masahiko Komura, glancing over at the flag during his news conference, said it could have been placed there earlier, because "it had already been generally recognized (as a national symbol) without the law."

Across the street at the Finance Ministry, however, the Hinomaru did not cross the threshold of the press briefing room.

"This is a place you (reporters) use," Finance Minister Kiichi Miyazawa said during his news conference, apparently referring to the contention by the Japan Newspaper Publishers and Editors Association that ministry press conferences are hosted by the press club side. "If you want it to be displayed, it will be."

Meanwhile, at the Management and Coordination Agency, Director General Seiichi Ota urged reporters to ask questions about the flag, saying, "It's there, so why won't anyone ask questions? Is it a taboo?"

When a query was lodged, Ota said the day was an auspicious occasion, noting the first press conference after the law took effect.

Both the Environment Agency and the Ministry of International Trade and Industry are currently considering drawing up guidelines for the flag's use.

The press club at the Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries held discussions and agreed to ask that the ministry not put up a flag in its conference room, saying more thorough debate on the matter was desired.

On Friday, Agriculture Minister Shoichi Nakagawa urged reporters to rethink the matter, saying the room was an important place were information is provided to the public.

"It is natural for a flag to be in the briefing room, so please discuss this matter," he said.

Meanwhile, the Health and Welfare Ministry is mulling having the lyrics of "Kimigayo" sung for the first time at this year's memorial service marking the 54th anniversary of the end of World War II, Health Minister Sohei Miyashita said Friday.

The move is in response to the enactment earlier in the week of legislation formally recognizing "Kimigayo" as the national anthem and the Hinomaru as Japan's flag.

The event is held every year at Tokyo's Nippon Budokan and is attended by roughly 6,000 people, including the Imperial Couple and the prime minister, as well as those representing the war dead.

Up until now, the government-sponsored event that has been held every Aug. 15 for 36 years has played the anthem when the Imperial Couple enter and leave the ceremony, but its lyrics, which critics say glorify the Emperor, have never been sung, although some participants have sung them under their breath.

However, the ministry is currently holding discussions with the Prime Minister's Office and the Imperial Household Agency to see whether an opportunity to sing the song can be included in this year's ceremony.

The Hinomaru has always been hoisted at center stage during the ceremony.