At risk to their careers and salaries, a group of public school teachers in Tokyo who defied a rule obliging teachers to sing the national anthem during this year's school ceremonies renewed their call Thursday for its abolishment.
At a news conference, three high school teachers expressed outrage over what they call the state's instillation of nationalism into education, which they insist endangers democracy.
On March 24, the Tokyo Board of Education penalized three teachers from two public schools who refused orders to stand and sing the Kimigayo anthem at March graduation ceremonies, claiming the flag and anthem connote Japan's militaristic past.