Regarding the Feb. 5 article "Kanagawa to keep tracking anti-anthem instructors": Any country that attempts to compel anyone, for any reason, to stand and sing a patriotic song should stop and ask itself why it would be necessary to do this.
The only question worth asking is, "Can one compel love?" Anyone who thinks it's possible isn't clever enough to be in any kind of leadership or supervisory position. Such people should be laughed at until they slink away in shame.
Of course, love is not what the powers that be are after. They want respect -- even feigned respect, even tatemae respect. That's how hollow they apparently are.
Unfortunately, failing to earn respect, they intend to compel it. Let's all don our brown shirts and get ready to offer the well-known salute.