Ten Thousand Things
Multicultural Webfinds

"Ten Thousand Things" is a Buddhist expression representing the dynamic interconnection and simultaneous unity and diversity of everything in the universe.

Is Freedom in Danger? – AGAINST COERCION: REFUSING TO STAND FOR "Kimigayo" at Sophia University

In Japan's history, state repression against religious and political diversity, especially during the Meiji and period before the Second World War, has been as severe as repression towards ethnic and other forms of diversity. Unfortunately, I caught this notice for the Sophia University viewing of AGAINST COERCION: Refusing to Stand for "Kimigayo" too late to post in a timely manner.

However, one can buy the film, an 87-minute video (with English subtitles) directed by Matsubara Akira and Sasaki Yumi, from VIDEO PRESS a Japanese video-production group that produces and distributes videos that support social change. Recently, VIDEO PRESS has begun to produce excellent foreign videos with subtitles.
Contact Akira Matsubara at mgg01231[at]nifty.ne.jp

VIDEO PRESS is one of the main organizing members of the People's Media Network in Japan, with an English message.

This film event represents the first part of a program
entitled "Is Freedom in Danger?" organized by the
Institute for the Study of Social Justice, Sophia
University. It will be followed by a symposium on
October 11, where Prof. Takami Katsutoshi (Sophia Law
School) will speak on the subject of constitution and
freedom, Father Tani Daiji (Bishop of Saitama,
Catholic Church) on freedom of religion, and Koichi
Nakano (Sophia University) on the contemporary
politics of illiberalism (all in Japanese).

BACKGROUND:
Since the Tokyo Metropolitan Board of Education issued
a decree to strictly enforce the hoisting of Hinomaru
and the singing of "Kimigayo" at school ceremonies in
2003, over 340 public school teachers in Tokyo have so
far faced disciplinary actions for "negligence of
duties." Although the Tokyo Local Court ruled such
coercion unconstitutional in September 2006, the Tokyo
Metropolitan Board of Education took disciplinary
measures against a further 35 teachers in March 2007
and appealed to Tokyo High Court. The punitive
measures of the Tokyo Board of Education are
cumulative, and as a consequence, it looks quite
possible at this point that some teachers will face
dismissal in March 2008 – if they continue to refuse
to stand for Kimigayo.

Such developments are not limited to Tokyo public
schools, and are indeed of particular relevance to
those who are in teaching professions at school as
well as university levels. The new Law on National
Referenda that the Abe government enacted last month
contains a stipulation that prohibits teachers (and
public servants) to "utilize their positions" during
future campaigns on constitutional revisions --in
other words, a school teacher or university professor
who expresses a view that does not conform with the
government proposal may very well face similar
disciplinary measures for "negligence of duties."
This documentary film follows the school teachers, and
their students, as the teachers refuse to stand for
Kimigayo and face pay-cut, suspension, and re-training
programs. The doors open at 17:00, and the movie
screening is followed by a Q&A session with Ms.
Kawarai Junko, who is currently suspended from her
position at a school for the disabled in Tokyo.

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