The Tokyo High Court on Thursday rejected a demand for compensation by former teachers who argued they were refused postretirement re-employment because they had remained seated during the national anthem at school ceremonies in defiance of their principals' orders.
The ruling overturned a February 2008 decision by the Tokyo District Court that awarded a total of around ¥27.5 million in compensation to 12 former teachers and a clerk at high schools run by the Tokyo Metropolitan Government.
Presiding Judge Tatsuki Inada of the high court said the orders to stand and sing "Kimigayo" in front of the Hinomaru flag "were not intended to command them to engage in acts that may straightforwardly deny the plaintiffs' perception of history and do not necessarily violate Article 19 of the Constitution that establishes freedom of thought and conscience."