70-498: A patriotic song is a song with strong patriotic content. " The Patriotic Song " may refer to the national anthem of some countries: National anthem A national anthem is a patriotic musical composition symbolizing and evoking eulogies of the history and traditions of a country or nation . The majority of national anthems are marches or hymns in style. American , Central Asian , and European nations tend towards more ornate and operatic pieces, while those in
140-676: A royal anthem in the European fashion for the Kingdom of Vietnam . Following the reinstating of La Marseillaise in 1830 , in the wake of the July Revolution , as the national anthem of France, it became common for newly formed nations to define national anthems, notably as a result of the Latin American wars of independence , for Argentina (1813), Peru (1821), Brazil (1831) but also Belgium (1830). Consequently, adoption of national anthems prior to
210-528: A competing team. At sumō tournaments, "Kimigayo" is played before the awards ceremony. Since the end of World War II , the Ministry of Education has issued statements and regulations to promote the usage of both the Hinomaru and "Kimigayo" at schools under their jurisdiction. The first of these statements was released in 1950, stating that it was desirable, but not required, to use both symbols. This desire
280-481: A later period as a celebration song of a long life by people of all social statures. Unlike the form used for the current national anthem, the poem originally began with " Waga Kimi wa " ('my lord') instead of " Kimiga Yo wa " ('my lord's reign'). The first lyrics were changed during the Kamakura period, while the rest of the lyrics stayed the same. Because the lyrics were sung on informal occasions, such as birthdays, there
350-458: A song for the imperial family and not the state as a whole. Uchimura Kanzo , a Christian leader in Japan, stated at the turn of the 20th century that "Kimigayo" is not the anthem of Japan by saying the song's purpose is to praise the emperor. According to Kanzo, a national anthem should express the feelings of the people, and not of the divine emperor. The Japanese were not familiar with "Kimigayo" as
420-435: A thousand, eight thousand generations, Until the tiny pebbles Grow into massive boulders Lush with moss Thousands of years of happy reign be thine; Rule on, my lord , until what are pebbles now By ages united to mighty rocks shall grow Whose venerable sides the moss doth line. Japan's national anthem is controversial due to its post-war history . Schools have been the center of controversy over both it and
490-458: A wide array of contexts. Certain etiquette may be involved in the playing of a country's anthem. These usually involve military honours, standing up, removing headwear etc. In diplomatic situations the rules may be very formal. There may also be royal anthems , presidential anthems , state anthems etc. for special occasions. They are played on national holidays and festivals, and have also come to be closely connected with sporting events. Wales
560-683: Is defined by being officially designated as the national song of a particular state, then La Marseillaise , which was officially adopted by the French National Convention in 1796 , would qualify as the first official national anthem. The Olympic Charter of 1920 introduced the ritual of playing the national anthems of the gold medal winners. From this time, the playing of national anthems became increasingly popular at international sporting events, creating an incentive for such nations that did not yet have an officially defined national anthem to introduce one. The United States introduced
630-455: Is often listed as Hiromori Hayashi , who was their supervisor and Akimori's father. Akimori was also one of Fenton's pupils. Although the melody is based on a traditional mode of Japanese court music, it is composed in a mixed style influenced by Western hymns, and uses some elements of the Fenton arrangement. The German musician Franz Eckert applied the melody with Western style harmony, creating
700-634: Is played during school ceremonies. On 30 May 2011 and 6 June 2011, two panels of the Supreme Court of Japan ruled that it was constitutional to require teachers to stand in front of the Hinomaru and sing the Kimigayo during school ceremonies. In making the ruling, the panels ratified the decision of the Tokyo High Court in ruling against 13 teachers who had asked for court relief after being disciplined between 2003 and 2005 for refusing to stand and sing
770-511: Is the national anthem of Japan . The lyrics are from a waka poem written by an unnamed author in the Heian period (794–1185), and the current melody was chosen in 1880, replacing an unpopular melody composed by John William Fenton in 1869. While the title "Kimigayo" is usually translated as " His Imperial Majesty 's Reign", no official translation of the title or lyrics have been established in law. From 1888 to 1945, "Kimigayo" served as
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#1733085609170840-460: Is unknown and disputed. Very few countries have a national anthem written by a world-renowned composer. Exceptions include Germany, whose anthem " Das Lied der Deutschen " uses a melody written by Joseph Haydn , and Austria, whose national anthem " Land der Berge, Land am Strome " is sometimes credited to Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart . The music of the " Pontifical Anthem ", anthem of the Vatican City,
910-484: Is used for sign-ons and closedowns instead). The use of a national anthem outside of its country, however, is dependent on the international recognition of that country. For instance, Taiwan has not been recognized by the International Olympic Committee as a separate nation since 1979 and must compete as Chinese Taipei ; its " National Banner Song " is used instead of its national anthem . In Taiwan,
980-731: The Allied occupation of Japan (led mainly by the United States ), there were no directives by the Supreme Commander for the Allied Powers to restrict the use of "Kimigayo" by the Japanese government . This was different from the regulations issued that restricted the use of the Hinomaru flag. Along with the encouragement to use "Kimigayo" in the schools to promote defense education and patriotism ,
1050-509: The Constitution of Japan , but the Board has argued that since schools are government agencies, their employees have an obligation to teach their students how to be good Japanese citizens. Teachers have unsuccessfully brought criminal complaints against Governor of Tokyo Shintarō Ishihara and senior officials for ordering teachers to honour the Hinomaru and "Kimigayo". After earlier opposition,
1120-564: The Dutch Revolt , it was already a popular orangist hymn during the 17th century, though it would take until 1932 for it to be officially recognized as the Dutch national anthem. The lyrics of the Japanese national anthem, Kimigayo , predate those of the Dutch anthem by several centuries, being taken from a Heian period (794–1185) poem, but were not set to music until 1880 . If a national anthem
1190-556: The Japan Teachers Union accepts the use of both the flag and national anthem; the smaller All Japan Teachers and Staffs Union still opposes both symbols and their use inside the school system. In 2006, Katsuhisa Fujita, a retired teacher in Tokyo , was threatened with imprisonment and fined 200,000 yen (roughly 2,000 US dollars ) after he was accused of disturbing a graduation ceremony at Itabashi Senior High School by urging
1260-556: The Kamakura period , "Kimigayo" was used as a festive song among samurai , and then became popular among the people in the Edo period . In the later part of the Edo period, "Kimigayo" was used in the Ōoku (harem of Edo Castle , current Tokyo Imperial Palace ) and Satsuma-han (current Kagoshima Prefecture ) as a common festive new year song. In those contexts, " kimi " never meant the emperor, but only
1330-623: The Middle East , Oceania , Africa , and the Caribbean use a more simplistic fanfare . Some countries that are devolved into multiple constituent states have their own official musical compositions for them (such as with the United Kingdom , Russia , and the Soviet Union ); their constituencies' songs are sometimes referred to as national anthems even though they are not sovereign states . In
1400-673: The Tokugawa shōgun , the Shimazu clan as rulers of the Satsuma-han, guests of honor, or all members of a festive drinking party. After the Meiji Restoration , samurai from Satsuma-han controlled the Imperial Japanese government, and they adopted "Kimigayo" as the national anthem of Japan. From this time until the Japanese defeat at the end of World War II , "Kimigayo" was understood to mean
1470-809: The early modern period , some European monarchies adopted royal anthems . Some of these anthems have survived into current use. " God Save the King/Queen ", first performed in 1619, remains the royal anthem of the United Kingdom and the Commonwealth realms . La Marcha Real , adopted as the royal anthem of the Spanish monarchy in 1770, was adopted as the national anthem of Spain in 1939. Denmark retains its royal anthem, Kong Christian stod ved højen mast (1780) alongside its national anthem ( Der er et yndigt land , adopted 1835). In 1802, Gia Long commissioned
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#17330856091701540-593: The 1930s was mostly by newly formed or newly independent states, such as the First Portuguese Republic ( A Portuguesa , 1911), the Kingdom of Greece (" Hymn to Liberty ", 1865), the First Philippine Republic ( Marcha Nacional Filipina , 1898), Lithuania ( Tautiška giesmė , 1919), Weimar Germany ( Deutschlandlied , 1922), Ireland ( Amhrán na bhFiann , 1926) and Greater Lebanon (" Lebanese National Anthem ", 1927). Though
1610-586: The 1989 reforms. The 1999 curriculum guideline issued by the Ministry of Education after the passage of the Law Regarding the National Flag and Anthem decrees that "on entrance and graduation ceremonies, schools must raise the flag of Japan and instruct students to sing the "Kimigayo" (national anthem), given the significance of the flag and the song." Additionally, the ministry's commentary on 1999 curriculum guideline for elementary schools note that "given
1680-951: The Diet should take more time in passing such a law. Many Japanese students, who must sing the song at entrance and graduation ceremonies, say they cannot understand the old and obsolete language of the lyrics and are not educated on its historical uses. Controversies surrounding the use of the anthem in school events still remain. 君 ( きみ ) が 代 ( よ ) は 千 ( ち ) 代 ( よ ) に 八 ( や ) 千 ( ち ) 代 ( よ ) に さざれ 石 ( いし ) の 巌 ( いわお ) となりて 苔 ( こけ ) の 生 ( む ) すまで きみがよは ちよにやちよに さざれいしの いわおとなりて こけのむすまで Kimigayo wa Chiyo ni yachiyo ni Sazare-ishi no Iwao to narite Koke no musu made [ki.mi.ɡa.jo ɰa] [t͡ɕi.ꜜjo ɲi ja.ꜜt͡ɕi.jo ɲi] [sa.za.ɾe.ꜜi.ɕi no] [i.ɰa.o to na.ɾi.te] [ko.keꜜ no mɯ.ꜜsɯ ma.de] May your reign Continue for
1750-508: The Ministry referred to "Kimigayo" ( 君が代 ) as the national anthem ( 国歌 , kokka ) of Japan. In a 1989 reform of the education guidelines, the LDP-controlled government first demanded that the Hinomaru flag must be used in school ceremonies and that proper respect must be given to it and to "Kimigayo". Punishments for school officials who did not follow this order were also enacted with
1820-545: The Tale of Genji is also called "Hikaru no Kimi" or "Hikaru-gimi" ( 光の君 or 光君 ) . Before the Nara period , the emperor was often called " ohkimi " (great lord); so it is controversial whether or not the word " kimi " in " kimigayo " had meant "emperor" originally. "Kimi" also means "my dear" as female emperor Genmei wrote about her lover in a poem in Manyoshu (vol.1 no.78). In
1890-508: The Tokyo Metropolitan Government required teachers to stand during the national anthem at graduation ceremonies. While standing, the teachers are required to sing "Kimigayo" while facing the Hinomaru . The Act on National Flag and Anthem also does not dictate when or where "Kimigayo" should be played. The anthem, however, is commonly played at sporting events inside of Japan, or at international sporting events where Japan has
1960-625: The United Kingdom ( God Save the King ) and Sweden ( Du gamla, Du fria ; the country also has a royal anthem, Kungssangen ). Countries that have moved to officially adopt de iure their long-standing de facto anthems since the 1990s include: Luxembourg ( Ons Heemecht , adopted 1993), South Africa ( National anthem of South Africa , adopted 1997), Israel ( Hatikvah , composed 1888, de facto use from 1948, adopted 2004) and Italy ( Il Canto degli Italiani , composed 1847, de facto use from 1946, adopted 2017). National anthems are used in
2030-414: The advance of internationalization, along with fostering patriotism and awareness of being Japanese, it is important to nurture school children's respectful attitude toward the flag of Japan and "Kimigayo" as they grow up to be respected Japanese citizens in an internationalized society." The ministry also stated that if Japanese students cannot respect their own symbols, then they will not be able to respect
2100-614: The anthem and another composition called Defense of the Japanese Empire (皇国の守り) by Isawa Shūji . The march is still performed by the Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force band. At the turn of the 20th century, "Kimigayo" was beginning to be closely associated with the idea of honoring the Emperor . It was also associated as a part of Japanese education. However, opinions expressed in an Osaka paper in 1904 calls "Kimigayo"
2170-564: The anthem until there was a surge of celebrations after victories in the First Sino-Japanese and Russo-Japanese Wars . Previously, papers were critical of fellow Japanese who could not sing "Kimigayo" properly at ceremonies overseas. During World War II , the Japanese Empire ordered that schoolchildren, both from its homeland and its colonies , were to sing the "Kimigayo" anthem and salute Emperor Hirohito every morning. During
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2240-465: The anthem's lyrics, Ōyama then asked Fenton to create the melody. After being given just two to three weeks to compose the melody, and only a few days to rehearse, Fenton debuted the anthem before the Japanese Emperor in 1870. This was the first version of "Kimigayo". This was discarded because the melody "lacked solemnity", according to the Japanese government, although others believe it is because
2310-497: The anthem. Outside of the school system, there was a controversy regarding "Kimigayo" soon after the passage of the 1999 law. A month after the law's passage, a record containing a performance of "Kimigayo" by Japanese rock musician Kiyoshiro Imawano was removed by Polydor Records from his album Fuyu no Jujika (冬の十字架, Cross in Winter ). Polydor did not want to attract harassment from far-right groups . In response, Imawano re-released
2380-495: The attendees to remain seated during the playing of the national anthem. At the time of Fujita's sentence, 345 teachers had been punished for refusing to take part in anthem related events, though Fujita is the only man to have been convicted in relation to it. On 21 September 2006, the Tokyo District Court ordered the Tokyo Metropolitan Government to pay compensation to the teachers who had been subjected to punishment under
2450-401: The best-known national anthems were written by little-known or unknown composers such as Claude Joseph Rouget de Lisle , composer of " La Marseillaise " and John Stafford Smith who wrote the tune for " The Anacreontic Song ", which became the tune for the U.S. national anthem, " The Star-Spangled Banner ". The author of "God Save the King", one of the oldest and best-known anthems in the world,
2520-495: The bill on July 22, 1999, by a 403 to 86 vote. The legislation was sent to the House of Councilors on July 28 and was passed on August 9. It was enacted into law on August 13. The lyrics and musical notation of the anthem are given in the second appendix of the Act on National Flag and Anthem . As for the sheet music itself, it displays a vocal arrangement with no mention of tempo and all of
2590-646: The connotations both symbols had with the war era. The JCP was further opposed for not allowing the issue to be decided by the public. Meanwhile, the Democratic Party of Japan (DPJ) could not develop party consensus on it. President of the DPJ and future prime minister, Naoto Kan stated that the DPJ must support the bill because the party already recognized both symbols as the symbols of Japan. Deputy Secretary General and future prime minister Yukio Hatoyama thought that this bill would cause further divisions among society and
2660-406: The country generally). Various solutions may be used when countries with different national anthems compete in a unified team. When North Korea and South Korea participated together in the 2018 Winter Olympics , the folk song " Arirang ", beloved on both sides of the border and seen as a symbol of Korea as a whole, was used as an anthem instead of the national anthem of either state. Most of
2730-643: The country's first constitution, and in Malta, written by Dun Karm Psaila , already a National Poet . A similar case is Liberia, the national anthem of which was written by its third president, Daniel Bashiel Warner . A national anthem, when it has lyrics (as is usually the case), is most often in the national or most common language of the country, whether de facto or official , though there are notable exceptions. Most commonly, states with more than one national language may offer several versions of their anthem, for instance: Kimigayo " Kimigayo " ( 君が代 )
2800-548: The country's national anthem is sung before instead of during flag-rising and flag-lowering , followed by the National Banner Song during the actual flag-rising and flag-lowering. Even within a state, the state's citizenry may interpret the national anthem differently (such as in the United States some view the U.S. national anthem as representing respect for dead soldiers and policemen whereas others view it as honouring
2870-536: The custom of an officially adopted national anthem became popular in the 19th century, some national anthems predate this period, often existing as patriotic songs long before their designation as national anthem. If an anthem is defined as consisting of both a melody and lyrics, then the oldest national anthem in use today is the national anthem of the Netherlands, the Wilhelmus . Written between 1568 and 1572 during
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2940-575: The directive of the Tokyo Board of Education. The then Prime Minister Junichiro Koizumi commented, "It is a natural idea to treat the national anthem importantly". The ruling was appealed by the Metropolitan Government. From 23 October 2003 to 2008, 410 teachers and school workers were punished for refusing to stand and sing the anthem as ordered by school principals. Teachers can also be punished if their students do not stand while "Kimigayo"
3010-470: The government during Obuchi administration, strongly objected to the government's meaning of kimi and "Kimigayo". Lawmakers of the Democratic Party of Japan objected on the grounds that there was a lack of any historical ties to the meaning. The strongest critic was Kazuo Shii , the chairman of the Communist Party of Japan , who strongly claimed that "Japan" could not be derived from "Kimigayo", because
3080-465: The host nation's anthem being played last. In some countries, the national anthem is played to students each day at the start and/or end of school as an exercise in patriotism, such as in Tanzania. In other countries the state anthem may be played in a theatre before a play or in a cinema before a movie. Many radio and television stations have adopted this and play the national anthem when they sign on in
3150-495: The long reign of the Emperor. With the adoption of the Constitution of Japan in 1947, the Emperor became no longer a sovereign who ruled by divine right , but a human who is a symbol of the state and of the unity of the people as a constitutional monarch. The Ministry of Education did not give any new meanings for "Kimigayo" after the war; this allowed the song to mean the Japanese people. The Ministry also did not formally renounce
3220-585: The lyrics in hiragana . The anthem is composed in 4/4 ( common time ) in the Dorian mode . The Act on National Flag and Anthem does not detail how one should show respect during performances of "Kimigayo". In a statement made by Prime Minister Obuchi, the legislation will not impose new regulations on the Japanese people when it comes to respecting the flag or anthem. However, local government bodies and private organizations sometimes suggest or demand certain protocols be followed. For example, an October 2003 directive by
3290-451: The lyrics only mention wishing for the emperor to have a long reign. Shii also objected to the use of the song as the national anthem, saying that for a democratic nation, an anthem about the emperor was not appropriate. The lyrics first appeared in the Kokin Wakashū , a poetry anthology published in ca.920, as an anonymous poem. The poem was included in many anthologies, and was used in
3360-561: The melody was actually "unsingable" for the Japanese. However, this version is still performed annually at the Myōkōji temple in Yokohama , where Fenton served as a military band leader. Myōkōji serves as a memorial to him. In 1880, the Ministry of the Imperial Household (current Imperial Household Agency ) adopted a new melody composed by Yoshiisa Oku and Akimori Hayashi. The composer
3430-586: The morning and again when they sign off at night. For instance, the national anthem of China is played before the broadcast of evening news on Hong Kong's local television stations including TVB Jade . In Colombia, it is a law to play the National Anthem at 6:00 and 18:00 on every public radio and television station, while in Thailand, " Phleng Chat Thai " is played at 08:00 and 18:00 nationwide (the Royal Anthem
3500-403: The national anthem of Singapore. None were deemed suitable. The tune eventually selected was (and still is) the anthem of the constituent state of Perak , which was in turn adopted from a popular French melody titled "La Rosalie" composed by the lyricist Pierre-Jean de Béranger . A few anthems have words by Nobel laureates in literature . The first Asian laureate, Rabindranath Tagore , wrote
3570-589: The national anthem of the Empire of Japan . When the Empire was dissolved following its surrender at the end of World War II , the new state of Japan succeeded it in 1947. This successor state was a parliamentary democracy , constitutional monarchy and the polity therefore changed from a system based on imperial sovereignty to one based on popular sovereignty . However, the Allied occupation forces (mainly U.S. military ) allowed Hirohito , Emperor Shōwa to retain
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#17330856091703640-463: The national broadcaster NHK began to use the song to announce the start and ending of its programming. The " Act on National Flag and Anthem " was passed on 13 August 1999, choosing both the Hinomaru and "Kimigayo" as Japan's national symbols. The passage of the law stemmed from a suicide of a school principal in Hiroshima who could not resolve a dispute between his school board and his teachers over
3710-668: The national flag. The Tokyo Board of Education requires the use of both "Kimigayo" and flag at events under their jurisdiction. The order requires school teachers to respect both symbols or risk losing their jobs. In 1999, several teachers in Hiroshima refused to put up the anthem while the Hiroshima Education Board demanded that they do so. As the tension arose between them, a vice-principal killed himself. A similar incident in Osaka in 2010 also occurred, with 32 teachers refusing to sing
3780-630: The new status of emperor as established in Article 1 of the Constitution of Japan as the main reason for these suggestions. During the same session, Prime Minister Keizō Obuchi ( Obuchi Cabinet ) confirmed this meaning with a statement on 29 June 1999: " Kimi " indicates the Emperor, who is the symbol of the State and of the unity of the people, and whose position is derived from the consensus-based will of Japanese citizens, with whom sovereign power resides. And,
3850-411: The patriotic song The Star-Spangled Banner as a national anthem in 1931. Following this, several nations moved to adopt as official national anthem patriotic songs that had already been in de facto use at official functions, such as Mexico ( Mexicanos, al grito de guerra , composed 1854, adopted 1943) and Switzerland (" Swiss Psalm ", composed 1841, de facto use from 1961, adopted 1981). By
3920-523: The period of decolonisation in the 1960s, it had become common practice for newly independent nations to adopt an official national anthem. Some of these anthems were specifically commissioned, such as the anthem of Kenya, Ee Mungu Nguvu Yetu , produced by a dedicated "Kenyan Anthem Commission" in 1963. A number of nations remain without an official national anthem adopted de jure . In these cases, there are established de facto anthems played at sporting events or diplomatic receptions. These include
3990-465: The phrase "Kimigayo" indicates our State, Japan, which has the Emperor enthroned as the symbol of the State and of the unity of the people by the consensus-based will of Japanese citizens. And it is reasonable to take the lyric of "Kimigayo" to mean the wish for the lasting prosperity and peace of such country of ours. Parties opposed to the Liberal Democratic Party , which was in control of
4060-423: The pre-war meaning of "Kimigayo". In 1999, during the deliberations of the Act on National Flag and Anthem , the official definition of Kimi or Kimi-ga-yo was questioned repeatedly. The first suggestion, which was given by Chief Cabinet Secretary Hiromu Nonaka , stated that kimi meant the "Emperor as the symbol of Japan", and that the entire lyrics wish for the peace and prosperity of Japan. He referred to
4130-476: The public schools. Before the vote, there were calls for the bills to be separated at the National Diet . Waseda University professor Norihiro Kato stated that "Kimigayo" is a separate issue more complex than the Hinomaru flag. Attempts to designate only the Hinomaru as the national flag by the DPJ and other parties during the vote of the bill were rejected by the Diet. The House of Representatives passed
4200-470: The second and current version of "Kimigayo". The government formally adopted "Kimigayo" as the national anthem in 1888 and had copies of the music and lyrics sent overseas for diplomatic ceremonies. By 1893, "Kimigayo" was included in public school ceremonies due to the efforts of the then Ministry of Education . Kōzō Yoshimoto (吉本光蔵, 1863–1907) [ ja ] composed the Kimigayo March (君が代行進曲) [ ja ] based on
4270-501: The song in a ceremony. In 2011, nine more teachers joined the rebellion, along with another eight in 2012. Hashimoto Toru , the mayor of Osaka , stated that "[i]t was good that criminals who are intent on breaking the rules have risen to the surface". Some have protested that such rules violate the United Nations Universal Declaration of Human Rights and the "freedom of thought, belief and conscience" clause in
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#17330856091704340-409: The symbols of other nations. According to a survey conducted by TV Asahi , most Japanese people perceived "Kimigayo" as an important, yet a controversial song even before the passage of the Act on National Flag and Anthem in 1999. However, a poll in the same year, conducted by the Mainichi Shimbun, found that most respondents opposed legislation that make it the national anthem, or thought that
4410-417: The throne and "Kimigayo" remained the de facto national anthem for preservation of Japanese monarchy . The passage of the Act on National Flag and Anthem in 1999 recognised it as the official national and imperial anthem. " Kimi " has been used to indicate the Emperor of Japan or one's lord (i.e., master) since at least the Heian period . For example, the protagonist Hikaru Genji ( 光源氏 ) of
4480-423: The use of the Hinomaru and "Kimigayo". Prime Minister Keizō Obuchi , President of the Liberal Democratic Party (LDP) decided to draft legislation to make the Hinomaru and "Kimigayo" official symbols of Japan in 2000. His Chief Cabinet Secretary , Hiromu Nonaka , wanted the legislation to be completed by the 10th anniversary of the coronation of Akihito as Emperor. This is not the first time legislation
4550-454: The words and music of " Jana Gana Mana " and " Amar Shonar Bangla ", later adopted as the national anthems of India and Bangladesh respectively. Bjørnstjerne Bjørnson wrote the lyrics for the Norwegian national anthem " Ja, vi elsker dette landet ". Other countries had their anthems composed by locally important people. This is the case for Colombia, whose anthem's lyrics were written by former president and poet Rafael Nuñez , who also wrote
4620-602: Was composed in 1869 by Charles Gounod , for the golden jubilee of Pope Pius IX 's priestly ordination. When Armenia was under Soviet rule, its anthem, the " Anthem of the Armenian Soviet Socialist Republic " used a melody by Aram Khachaturian . The committee charged with choosing a national anthem for the Federation of Malaya (later Malaysia) at independence decided to invite selected composers of international repute to submit compositions for consideration, including Benjamin Britten , William Walton , Gian Carlo Menotti and Zubir Said , who later composed " Majulah Singapura ",
4690-460: Was considered for establishing both symbols as official. In 1974, with the backdrop of the 1972 return of Okinawa Prefecture to Japan from the U.S. and the 1973 oil crisis , Prime Minister Kakuei Tanaka hinted at a law being passed legalizing both symbols. The main supporters of the bill were governing parties, the LDP and the Komeito (CGP), while the opposition included the Social Democratic Party (SDPJ) and Communist Party (JCP), who cited
4760-400: Was later expanded to include both symbols on national holidays and during ceremonial events to encourage students on what national holidays are and to promote defense education. The Ministry not only took great measures to explain that both symbols are not formally established by law, they also referred to "Kimigayo" as a song and refused to call it the national anthem. It was not until 1977 that
4830-435: Was no sheet music for it until the 19th century. In 1869, John William Fenton , a visiting British military band leader, realized that there was no national anthem in Japan, and suggested to Iwao Ōyama , an officer of the Satsuma Clan , that one be created. Ōyama agreed, and selected the lyrics. The lyrics may have been chosen for their similarity to the British national anthem , due to Fenton's influence. After selecting
4900-428: Was the first country to adopt this, during a rugby game against New Zealand in 1905. Since then during sporting competitions, such as the Olympic Games , the national anthem of the gold medal winner is played at each medal ceremony ; also played before games in many sports leagues, since being adopted in baseball during World War II. When teams from two nations play each other, the anthems of both nations are played,
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