Went outside the first thing in the morning. Midnight rain was almost gone, just misty rain here and there. Felt relieved. Today is the "first day to go to work" at Minamioawa Gakuen School for Children with Special Needs.
When I went to see the principal on the 30th, I asked him, "Please introduce me when you introduce new faculties and staff to everyone on the 2nd. I would also like to do my self-introduction at that time." But he replied, "I have to ask the Tokyo Metropolitan Government Board of Education". When I came home, I found a message on my fax machine, saying that he "confirmed with the Board of Education that the attendance is not allowed".
If he does not introduce me to others, I would become a "ghost" for 6 months, and I would not like that. After a lot of thinking, I decided to hand out a letter to the faculties and staff who came to work.
Arrived at the school gate at 7:40. Two of my friends came along with me. I introduced myself, saying "Good morning. I am Nezu. I start working here today. I am the one who is suspended for 6 month because of 'Kimigayo'". I handed out or tried to hand out my letter to each person.
I received comments like "I saw you in the newspaper. Good luck." "You represent our voice. Thank you very much." "I heard from a friend of mine that you've come here". These comments made me feel happy and that I was not alone. On the other hand, there were people who wouldn't reach out their hand to take the letter or refused to take it, saying "I will take it when you can come inside (the school)". Well, this is how a general public is like.
Shortly afterwards, two vice principals came to tell us to stop handing out letters. They probably thought it was their professional duty to stop me. But they were not persistent and went inside right away.
Today I "left work" in a short amount of time.
The following is the letter I handed out to my colleagues.
Dear faculties and staff at Minamiosawa Gakuen for Children with Special Needs,
My name is Kimiko Nezu. I was transferred to work here as of April 1st. You might have heard about me in newspaper reports on March 1st.
This year, 35 teachers were subject to disciplinary action because they did not stand up or refused to be an accompanist while Kimigayo was played/sung during graduation ceremonies in March. I got suspension from work for 6 months, so even if I am assigned to work here, I am not allowed to come inside. I asked the principal to let me introduce myself to you all, but "after confirming with the Tokyo Metropolitan Board of Education"; he replied to me that he couldn't approve this.
Therefore, I would like to introduce myself by this letter. Please read until the end. Thank you very much and I look forward to working with you this coming year.
I am 56 years old who was born in 1950. My teaching subject is Home Economics. The first school was Oshima Junior High School in Koto-ward, but since my first child had asthma, we moved to Hachioji-city. Until my child's asthma got better, I taught in Hachioji for several years in elementary schools, and then taught at two junior high schools for ten years each. While teaching there, besides teaching my own subject, I also dedicated myself, along with my colleagues, to Peace Education. Those were fun-filled days.
In 2000, I was transferred from Hachioji-city to Tama-city, then after 2003, I was forced to transfer from Chofu-city to Tachikawa-city, then to Machida-city every one to two years.
Thus, I have no experience of working at a school for children with special needs, nor do I have much knowledge (of educating special needs children). Thus I must indulge your kindness, support and advice.
By the way, I am not given any more reprieves after this 6-month suspension. The next punishment will be dismissal. Unless the principal decided not to exercise his administrative order to ask people to stand up (while Kimigayo is sung), I would be dismissed. But I will keep saying that wrong is wrong and act upon my belief even if I might lose my job.
I believe that "Kimigayo" is in conflict with the Constitution's principle that the sovereignty of the nation resides in its people. I also think that the historical issues surrounding the issue of Kimigayo have not settled yet. But that is not the reason I do not stand up. The reason is I oppose any form of coercion, not just "Kimigayo".
I have always told my students in this way---"I would be glad to receive a rice cake if someone is simply giving it to everyone here. However, if everyone were forced to eat the rice cake, I would never eat it, even if I liked rice cakes. This is because it would violate a right of a person who would not want to eat. For the same reason, I am against (singing) Kimigayo.
The end result of coercion is fascism, the state of a society in which freedom and democracies are deprived. If we only recall what Japan went through 70 years ago, no one would approve this. This is my large premise (of my action).
In addition, I believe the fact that Tokyo Board of Education is pushing forward "Hinomaru & Kimigayo" is not only something that is against the principle of education, but also one that destroys education. Education should be about thinking together based on knowledge and material. Unless we give students an opportunity to form their own opinions, it is almost like training animals to merely order students to stand up and sing the song.
It is the same as the prewar militaristic education that drove children to go to war.
The way in which Tokyo Board of Education reinforces coercion by punishing disobedient teachers is like teaching students to "follow an order without thinking" and to "yield to the powerful". It is an unforgivable act to make children think according to the likes of today's government.
I have been educating the students so that they would be able to use their own head to think and to make their own judgment, and to "aspire for truth and peace" (as stipulated by the 1947 Fundamental Law of Education). Thus I cannot support what the Tokyo Board of Education is doing.
I have not had any contact with children at special needs schools so far, thus it may sound presumptuous of me to discuss (the relationship between) special needs schools and the issue of "Hinomaru-Kimigayo" (or "Kimigayo"). But there should not be any difference in reasons for education no matter who is receiving it. The important thing is not controlling (students) by coercion but encouraging them to express their feeling, and to think together and respect each other.
In Japanese society, there still exist prejudice and discrimination against people who are mentally challenged and have low educational degree (translator's note: so students in this school are likely to face these challenges in society). Thus I hope that in this school, children will learn to be proud of themselves and to be able to assert themselves. "Kimigayo" will be an obstacle for such a learning process.
I doubt that there are any teachers in Tokyo who support the Board of Education's coercion and punishment. There are also some principals who do not support the Education Board's order.
I decided, from my experience at a graduation ceremony two years ago, that I would never lie to myself again. I decided to start saying wrong is wrong. During the war, under the Peace Preservation Law, people (who did not obey) risked their lives, but now I do not see my life being threatened yet. I am 56 years old and do not have dependents. I do not have family responsibility. I can survive even if I receive disciplinary discharge. That is why I could make this decision (not to obey). Thus I would also like to raise a voice for younger colleagues who still have their future ahead and have families to take care of.
Even when I am suspended, I am not accepting this improper measure, and I am in a full spirit to work. So I will "go to work" all the way up to the school gates. I will visit three schools in turn: two in Tachikawa-City and Machida-city where I received "Kimigayo" punishment previously, and this school where I was supposed to start working today. I will also go to the Tokyo Board of Education to hold a protest.
I appreciate your understanding. I would be very happy if you could talk to me when you see me.
April 2, 2007
Kimiko Nezu
Address and phone #
Stop Ms Nezu’s Dismissal and Ms Kawarai’s Punishment!
Committee to Stop Firing of Nezu, Kawarai and Other Teachers
Copyright (C) 2007-2010 Committee to Stop Firing of Nezu, Kawarai and Other Teachers.
All Rights Reserved.
Ms. Kawarai &Ms. Nezu
Introduction
Kimiko Nezu, a Home Economics teacher and Junko Kawarai, a teacher for children with special needs, are among many teachers in Japan who are resisting the remilitarization pressure from the government, by not standing up when Kimigayo, the national anthem is played at school ceremonies.
Kimigayo and the national flag Hinomaru are regarded by many people in Asia as symbols of Japan's wartime imperialism and militarism. Nezu feels that the historical implications of these national symbols are not taught sufficiently at Japanese schools. Kimigayo, often translated as "May Your Reign Last Forever," is a song that praises the Emperor, under whose name millions of lives were vainly lost in the past wars. These teachers in Japan, by not standing for Kimigayo, express their determination to never again send Japanese citizens to war.
These teachers, particularly those in Tokyo where nationalist, Shintaro Ishihara, serves as Governor, are subject to punitive measures such as reprimands, pay cuts, suspensions from work, and prohibitions against rehiring after retirement. What stands out in Tokyo is that the disciplinary measures for the same deed become more severe as teachers repeat the act of resistance. The most recent punishments imposed on Nezu and Kawarai were a 6-month suspension from April to September 2007 and a 3-month suspension from April to June 2007, respectively. The Tokyo Metropolitan Board of Education had warned Nezu that that would be her last suspension, implying that she would lose her job if she refused to stand up for Kimigayo again.
Teachers are about to be fired for not standing up. They are about to be fired for expressing their beliefs. Have you ever heard of anything like this happening in a democratic country? This should not happen. This is a grave infringement of Article 19 of Japan's Constitution, which guarantees freedom of thought and conscience.
In September 2006, Tokyo District Court ruled that coercion associated with Kimigayo and Hinomaru at schools is unconstitutional. The Tokyo Metropolitan Government appealed and continues to impose punishments on teachers.
Kimiko Nezu took action even when she was under suspension. Every day she went to the school gate and greeted students and teachers who went through the gate. Rain or shine, she would stand at the gate, and talk to the people who spoke to her, wondering why she was there. She called this, "Going to Work Under Suspension" ("Teishoku Shukkin" in Japanese), and she kept a journal of daily events in which she recorded her lively conversation with students, parents, colleagues, supporters, and passersby. This journal was made public on the internet and touched the hearts of many readers.
We, a group of citizens who are committed to support Kimiko Nezu and the other teachers under punishment, decided to translate her journal into English so that more people throughout the world would be able to read it and become aware of the serious human rights violations in Japan. We believe this issue deserves international attention and international action.
For Kimiko Nezu's message, please read here.
If you would like to contact us for further information and to find out what you can do to help the Japanese teachers, please email yadamascussteel@yahoo .co.jp. Thank you very much for your interest.
Committee to Stop the Firing of Nezu, Kawarai, and Other Teachers
Kimigayo and the national flag Hinomaru are regarded by many people in Asia as symbols of Japan's wartime imperialism and militarism. Nezu feels that the historical implications of these national symbols are not taught sufficiently at Japanese schools. Kimigayo, often translated as "May Your Reign Last Forever," is a song that praises the Emperor, under whose name millions of lives were vainly lost in the past wars. These teachers in Japan, by not standing for Kimigayo, express their determination to never again send Japanese citizens to war.
These teachers, particularly those in Tokyo where nationalist, Shintaro Ishihara, serves as Governor, are subject to punitive measures such as reprimands, pay cuts, suspensions from work, and prohibitions against rehiring after retirement. What stands out in Tokyo is that the disciplinary measures for the same deed become more severe as teachers repeat the act of resistance. The most recent punishments imposed on Nezu and Kawarai were a 6-month suspension from April to September 2007 and a 3-month suspension from April to June 2007, respectively. The Tokyo Metropolitan Board of Education had warned Nezu that that would be her last suspension, implying that she would lose her job if she refused to stand up for Kimigayo again.
Teachers are about to be fired for not standing up. They are about to be fired for expressing their beliefs. Have you ever heard of anything like this happening in a democratic country? This should not happen. This is a grave infringement of Article 19 of Japan's Constitution, which guarantees freedom of thought and conscience.
In September 2006, Tokyo District Court ruled that coercion associated with Kimigayo and Hinomaru at schools is unconstitutional. The Tokyo Metropolitan Government appealed and continues to impose punishments on teachers.
Kimiko Nezu took action even when she was under suspension. Every day she went to the school gate and greeted students and teachers who went through the gate. Rain or shine, she would stand at the gate, and talk to the people who spoke to her, wondering why she was there. She called this, "Going to Work Under Suspension" ("Teishoku Shukkin" in Japanese), and she kept a journal of daily events in which she recorded her lively conversation with students, parents, colleagues, supporters, and passersby. This journal was made public on the internet and touched the hearts of many readers.
We, a group of citizens who are committed to support Kimiko Nezu and the other teachers under punishment, decided to translate her journal into English so that more people throughout the world would be able to read it and become aware of the serious human rights violations in Japan. We believe this issue deserves international attention and international action.
For Kimiko Nezu's message, please read here.
If you would like to contact us for further information and to find out what you can do to help the Japanese teachers, please email yadamascussteel@yahoo .co.jp. Thank you very much for your interest.
Committee to Stop the Firing of Nezu, Kawarai, and Other Teachers
Petition
An Urgent Letter-sending Campaign
Sailing
by Junko Kawarai
Another new sailing today
Calmly and quietly to the ocean
Proudly hoisting the sail of
"Never send our children and students to the battlefield again"
Another new sailing today
With the beating heart of a life
Against any big wave swallowing you
Against a high wind blowing you away
Harboring and cherishing the precious life of each one of us
Denying sea routes toward altering the constitution and toward war
Another new sailing today, calmly and quietly
Thousands of ships all the way to the ocean
A toast to the sailing today!
A toast to the sailing today!
*****************************************
Union Songs: http://unionsong.com/u561.html
Union Songs: http://unionsong.com/u514.html
*****************************************
Another new sailing today
Calmly and quietly to the ocean
Proudly hoisting the sail of
"Never send our children and students to the battlefield again"
Another new sailing today
With the beating heart of a life
Against any big wave swallowing you
Against a high wind blowing you away
Harboring and cherishing the precious life of each one of us
Denying sea routes toward altering the constitution and toward war
Another new sailing today, calmly and quietly
Thousands of ships all the way to the ocean
A toast to the sailing today!
A toast to the sailing today!
*****************************************
Union Songs: http://unionsong.com/u561.html
Union Songs: http://unionsong.com/u514.html
*****************************************
Against Coercion－-Refusing to Stand for "Kimigayo"
message from Kimiko Nezu
October 2007
Notes on the context for my "going to work under suspension" journal
Ever since Shintaro Ishihara assumed the governorship of Tokyo Metropolitan Government, education in Tokyo has been collapsing with speed of a rock rolling downhill. Ishihara is the man who thought nothing of making his visions public, visions such as "breaking free of Japan's constitution" and "making Tokyo the epicenter of change that will sweep over the whole of Japan." Thanks to his leadership, the public schools in Tokyo, where freedom in education was relatively secure, have been transformed into machines that are controlled by the Tokyo Metropolitan Board of Education and/or the board of education in individual municipalities. These boards have begun to interfere with the content of classroom instructions which they deem may be threatening the state's control of education. The notion of education as the right of individual children is being discarded and, in its place, education for the people in power and education for the nation state have begun. As the first step in this direction, the Tokyo Metropolitan Board of Education has embarked on a policy aimed at controlling the teachers and staff members by dispatching orders and demanding their obedience. Tokyo Metropolitan Board of Education is using the "Kimigayo" song as a "loyalty test" for teachers.
On 1989 the Ministry of Education and Science began forcing the schools to hoist the "Hinomaru" flag and to sing the "Kimigayo" song at official school ceremonies. But in Tokyo there were still quite a few teachers and staff members who did not stand up during the singing of "Kimigayo." The Tokyo Metropolitan Board of Education decided that they would no longer tolerate this situation, and, in order to ensure no teachers and staff members would be seated during the performance of "Kimigayo," they dispatched a directive on October 23, 2003. The directive said that "At ceremonies such as entrance and graduation ceremonies, school teachers and staff members shall stand up for 'Kimigayo' and sing the song. The school principal will present an administrative order based on this directive, and if any of his/her staff chooses to disobey his/her order, that person will be charged with neglect of duty." The message was that if teachers did not stand up or refused to provide piano accompaniment to the song, they would be punished. This directive is known as the "10.23 directive."
Tokyo is not the only place where coercion concerning the "Hinomaru" flag and the "Kimigayo" song at schools is happening. It is spreading throughout Japan. However, punishing teachers who refuse to stand up for "Kimigayo" or to provide piano accompaniment to the song is unique to only a few prefectures, even in heavily right-leaning Japan today. In addition to Tokyo, those areas include the City of Kitakyushu, the Hiroshima Prefecture, and the Niigata Prefecture. What distinguishes Tokyo from these Prefectures and the City of Kitakyushu, however, is that the terms of punishment become incrementally more severe if teachers repeat the so-called "offences." Tokyo distinguishes itself by inflicting the most extreme punishment on its teachers.
If a teacher does not stand up for the singing of "Kimigayo" for the first "offence," he/she is reprimanded, which involves suspension of a raise for three months. If the same teacher does not stand up a second time, his/her monthly salary is reduced by one-tenth for one month. If the same teacher does not stand up a third time, his/her monthly salary is reduced by one-tenth for six months. If the same teacher commits a fourth "offence," he/she is suspended for one month. The fifth "offence" brings a three-month suspension, and the sixth "offence" triggers a six-month suspension. Since the Tokyo Metropolitan Board of Education has announced that "the longest period of suspension is six-months," the next stage of punishment would be a dismissal from the teaching position entirely.
In 1994, I lowered the "Hinomaru" flag set for the ceremonies. In 2002, I organized lessons addressing the issue of the "comfort women" whom the Japanese military had exploited during WWII. My actions precipitated attacks from all directions, and I was punished on each occasion. By the time the "10.23 directive" was dispatched, I was receiving a reduced salary for three months. But I continued to choose not to stand up for the singing of "Kimigayo," and my sitting down at a graduation ceremony in March 2007 brought me a punishment of six-month suspension. I have no intention of standing up at a graduation ceremony in March 2008, and I suspect this will bring me a dismissal from teaching altogether.
The Tokyo Metropolitan Board of Education justifies its measures by saying that if there were teachers or staff members who do not stand up for "Kimigayo", the children would think that they did not need to stand up, either, and if every one of the teachers and staff members stood up and sang the song, the children would do the same. They say that this is a form of "intangible education." I would argue that "intangible education" moves away from the purpose of education which has to do with fostering the pursuit of knowledge and thinking. In its stead, children are being taught to assimilate whatever they are presented with, without thinking. What the Board is in effect doing is announcing that it has embarked on a policy of mind-control. This amounts to completely undermining the children's rights and the democratic principles of our society.
From the late 1930s, when Japan charged into the war of aggression, through to the end of the war and our defeat, Japan's schools turned into places where brainwashed children were produced who thought nothing of "offering their lives for their country." With this experience as a bitter lesson, people have been organizing protests, however modest they may have been, that are motivated by our determination not to make the same mistakes again.
I am one of those people who believe in not repeating the same mistakes. That is why I choose not to be a party to this scheme that deprives children of capacity to think and tries to brainwash them. As someone who has chosen teaching to be my profession, my conscience does not allow me to obey administrative orders that are unreasonable, even if my disobedience will result in my dismissal from the teaching profession altogether.
While on suspension, I have gone to the school where I would have been teaching. I have stood in front of the school gates and remained there until my work hours would have been over. I argue that I have not done anything wrong. I argue that it is the Tokyo Metropolitan Board of Education that has done something very wrong. I wish to work. I have every intention of working. These are my sincerest wishes, and they drive me to act the way I do.
Notes on the context for my "going to work under suspension" journal
Ever since Shintaro Ishihara assumed the governorship of Tokyo Metropolitan Government, education in Tokyo has been collapsing with speed of a rock rolling downhill. Ishihara is the man who thought nothing of making his visions public, visions such as "breaking free of Japan's constitution" and "making Tokyo the epicenter of change that will sweep over the whole of Japan." Thanks to his leadership, the public schools in Tokyo, where freedom in education was relatively secure, have been transformed into machines that are controlled by the Tokyo Metropolitan Board of Education and/or the board of education in individual municipalities. These boards have begun to interfere with the content of classroom instructions which they deem may be threatening the state's control of education. The notion of education as the right of individual children is being discarded and, in its place, education for the people in power and education for the nation state have begun. As the first step in this direction, the Tokyo Metropolitan Board of Education has embarked on a policy aimed at controlling the teachers and staff members by dispatching orders and demanding their obedience. Tokyo Metropolitan Board of Education is using the "Kimigayo" song as a "loyalty test" for teachers.
On 1989 the Ministry of Education and Science began forcing the schools to hoist the "Hinomaru" flag and to sing the "Kimigayo" song at official school ceremonies. But in Tokyo there were still quite a few teachers and staff members who did not stand up during the singing of "Kimigayo." The Tokyo Metropolitan Board of Education decided that they would no longer tolerate this situation, and, in order to ensure no teachers and staff members would be seated during the performance of "Kimigayo," they dispatched a directive on October 23, 2003. The directive said that "At ceremonies such as entrance and graduation ceremonies, school teachers and staff members shall stand up for 'Kimigayo' and sing the song. The school principal will present an administrative order based on this directive, and if any of his/her staff chooses to disobey his/her order, that person will be charged with neglect of duty." The message was that if teachers did not stand up or refused to provide piano accompaniment to the song, they would be punished. This directive is known as the "10.23 directive."
Tokyo is not the only place where coercion concerning the "Hinomaru" flag and the "Kimigayo" song at schools is happening. It is spreading throughout Japan. However, punishing teachers who refuse to stand up for "Kimigayo" or to provide piano accompaniment to the song is unique to only a few prefectures, even in heavily right-leaning Japan today. In addition to Tokyo, those areas include the City of Kitakyushu, the Hiroshima Prefecture, and the Niigata Prefecture. What distinguishes Tokyo from these Prefectures and the City of Kitakyushu, however, is that the terms of punishment become incrementally more severe if teachers repeat the so-called "offences." Tokyo distinguishes itself by inflicting the most extreme punishment on its teachers.
If a teacher does not stand up for the singing of "Kimigayo" for the first "offence," he/she is reprimanded, which involves suspension of a raise for three months. If the same teacher does not stand up a second time, his/her monthly salary is reduced by one-tenth for one month. If the same teacher does not stand up a third time, his/her monthly salary is reduced by one-tenth for six months. If the same teacher commits a fourth "offence," he/she is suspended for one month. The fifth "offence" brings a three-month suspension, and the sixth "offence" triggers a six-month suspension. Since the Tokyo Metropolitan Board of Education has announced that "the longest period of suspension is six-months," the next stage of punishment would be a dismissal from the teaching position entirely.
In 1994, I lowered the "Hinomaru" flag set for the ceremonies. In 2002, I organized lessons addressing the issue of the "comfort women" whom the Japanese military had exploited during WWII. My actions precipitated attacks from all directions, and I was punished on each occasion. By the time the "10.23 directive" was dispatched, I was receiving a reduced salary for three months. But I continued to choose not to stand up for the singing of "Kimigayo," and my sitting down at a graduation ceremony in March 2007 brought me a punishment of six-month suspension. I have no intention of standing up at a graduation ceremony in March 2008, and I suspect this will bring me a dismissal from teaching altogether.
The Tokyo Metropolitan Board of Education justifies its measures by saying that if there were teachers or staff members who do not stand up for "Kimigayo", the children would think that they did not need to stand up, either, and if every one of the teachers and staff members stood up and sang the song, the children would do the same. They say that this is a form of "intangible education." I would argue that "intangible education" moves away from the purpose of education which has to do with fostering the pursuit of knowledge and thinking. In its stead, children are being taught to assimilate whatever they are presented with, without thinking. What the Board is in effect doing is announcing that it has embarked on a policy of mind-control. This amounts to completely undermining the children's rights and the democratic principles of our society.
From the late 1930s, when Japan charged into the war of aggression, through to the end of the war and our defeat, Japan's schools turned into places where brainwashed children were produced who thought nothing of "offering their lives for their country." With this experience as a bitter lesson, people have been organizing protests, however modest they may have been, that are motivated by our determination not to make the same mistakes again.
I am one of those people who believe in not repeating the same mistakes. That is why I choose not to be a party to this scheme that deprives children of capacity to think and tries to brainwash them. As someone who has chosen teaching to be my profession, my conscience does not allow me to obey administrative orders that are unreasonable, even if my disobedience will result in my dismissal from the teaching profession altogether.
While on suspension, I have gone to the school where I would have been teaching. I have stood in front of the school gates and remained there until my work hours would have been over. I argue that I have not done anything wrong. I argue that it is the Tokyo Metropolitan Board of Education that has done something very wrong. I wish to work. I have every intention of working. These are my sincerest wishes, and they drive me to act the way I do.
Acknowledgement
The translators have volunteered their time and talent entirely on their own, with no expectations of remuneration. In so doing the translators, who are based in Vancouver, Canada, and Japan, have demonstrated their unflinching support for us and deep sense of solidarity with us, which we believe are shared by other supporters all over the world. From the bottom of our hearts, we thank them for their work.
Junko Kawarai & Kimiko Nezu
Junko Kawarai & Kimiko Nezu
