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National Anthem

Does Japan have a National Anthem and, if so, what is it titled? When was it introduced?

1998/1/29

by Charles Armenteros, U.S.A.

Kimi ga yo

The title of the national anthem (even though it has not been officially adopted by Japan) is KIMI GA YO. Here is the full version.

Kimi ga you wa

Chiyo ni yachiyo ni

Sazare ishi no iwao to narite

Koke no musu made

Here is one translation of it.

May the sovereign reign,

For a thousand years, eight thousand years,

Until little pebbles become rocks,

Covered with moss

1998/2/13

by Shaney Crawford, Canadian in Japan

japanese national anthem?

this is an interesting question. the answer to yr question -does japan have a national anthem- is, in short, no. it does not. neither, interestingly does it have a national flag! the obvious symbols of anthem and flag have come to be used by default,since (during) the time of the occupation in the early fifties. in other words, these symbols are customarily used by default in japan and internationally by government offices, schools, etc. how this unofficial status can be confirmed is that every few years a bill (a proposal) in the diet will be floated to make the customarily used song and flag the nationally, offically sanctioned symbols. these bills never get anywhere due to the opposition of, mainly, education related groups (teachers unions, etc). the issue is not that these symbols are wrong to have, but the context in which they are gradually becoming used more and more by rightest organizations in japan. fascinating.

1998/2/10

by mark, usa


Created by Schauwecker's Guide to Japan