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Top 10 Facts about the Kimi Ga Yo, The National Anthem of Japan

The national anthem of Japan is called Kimi Ga Yo in Japanese language. The name of the song implies that the Nation of Japan has take the Imperial Reign.

The anthem content is based on a long time poem which has never been associated with the writer, meaning, the author is not known.

However, about two hundred years ago, the song was written again giving it a more recent lyrics. Basically, this was because the original tune was very very unpopular.

In short, the House of Representatives passed the bill on July 22, 1999 by a majority vote of 403 out of 86.

Hence, Kimi Ga Yo was declared an official national anthem in 1999. The flag Hinomaru, also became the official national symbol. 

This to align Japan with other nations which could sing their national anthem in every official government function.

Together with the anthem was the flag defined by the law of Japan to allow the two be implemented at the same time.

In addition, the most memorable thing about the Japanese national anthem is the fact that it is the shortest in the world lasting only 56 seconds.

1. Official Adoption

The national anthem for Japan, Kimi Ga Yo was popular for a very long time and for many decades. It was sang in institutions, in functions particularly government sponsored events.

This was surprising! The bright star was shining on the people of Japan when eventually in 1999, Kimi Ga Yo was adopted as the official national anthem

The Flag was not left behind as it was correspondingly defined as the official Flag of Japan recognized by the law of the land.

2. The Shortest National Anthem Globally

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One outstanding thing about the Japanese national anthem is that it is the shortest ever sang, this is so amazing. It is actually very easy to learn the anthem due to its few wording and sentences.

It takes only 56 seconds to sing the anthem, but it makes sense to the Japanese nationals, more so they love it.

3. Unpopular Tune

The anthem was not popular. The music was written more recently (about two hundred years ago) and was then rewritten shortly afterwards because the original tune was unpopular.

4. Kimi Ga Yo Played in an event

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The national anthem of Japan is very important to the nationals of Japan such that every event being conducted begin with it.

November 6, 2007 was such an event where the national anthem was played in style during a volleyball tournament in Osaka, Japan.

5. Ministry of Education Ordered to use Kimi Ga Yo in Schools

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After the end of  World War II, Japan’s Ministry of Education issued a statement that required all schools use the Kimi Ga Yo at all time under their jurisdiction.

Such statements were released in 1950 indicating the need to use the national anthem and include both symbols.

This desire 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  Kimi Ga Yo as a song and refused to call it the national anthem.

Henceforth, the ministry’s commentary on 1999 curriculum guideline for elementary schools note that “given the advance of internationalization, along with fostering patriotism and awareness of being Japanese.

There was need to empower and nurture school children with a respectful attitude toward the flag of Japan and Kimi Ga Yo as they grow up. This is so that they become respected Japanese citizens in an internationalized society.

6. Declaration of Kimi Ga Yo as National Anthem

1n 1977, the government officials in the ministry declared Kimi Ga Yo an official national anthem. Also in 1989, it was declared that the national flag Hinomaru be used in all school functions and that it must be given the respects it deserves.

However, the ministry of Education made it clear that any school official who does not respect these rules and regulations be punished. There were known as the 1989 schools reforms.

7. The Great Tohoku Earthquake and the Anthem

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The  Tohoku earthquake in 2011, struck the offshore of Japan. The cause was the sideways and downward movements of the edge of earth.

In other words, it happens when the zone where two of Earth’s tectonic plates collide.

In a subduction zone, one plate slides beneath another into the mantle, the hotter layer beneath the crust.

The 2011 Tohoku earthquake and tsunami occurred at 14:46 JST on 11 March. The magnitude 9.0鈥�9.1 undersea megathrust earthquake had an epicenter in the Pacific Ocean.

It was 72 km east of the Oshika Peninsula of the T艒hoku region, and lasted approximately six minutes, causing a tsunami.

In return, the Tohoku earthquake was devastating hence, the government declared that the National Anthem be sang in dedication of those who were affected.

This is a great honor! Every time the Anthem is played, it signifies something important to the people of Japan.

8. Protocols a must for the National Anthem

It was not until 2003 when the Tokyo Metropolitan Government required teachers to stand during the national anthem particularly in the graduation ceremonies.

Before then, the Japan nationals never used any protocol during the playing of national anthem.

However, not only were the teachers in particular supposed to stand but also sing the national anthem facing the national flag, the Hinomaru.

9.  Kimi Ga Yo has controversies

According to a survey conducted by TV Asahi, most Japanese people perceived Kimi Ga Yo as an important, yet a controversial.

The song become a center of controversy even before the passage of the Act on National Anthem and Flag in 1999.

However, a poll in the same year conducted by the Mainichi Shimbun found that most respondents, opposed legislation making it the national anthem or felt it should be given more them before it is passed into law.

Students in Japan had a part to play in this controversy. Majority of them felt that they didn’t have to sing all the time they make entrance in school or during graduation ceremonies.

To them, they did not understand the old and obsolete language of the lyrics when they were not even educated on it. The government, according to them needed to educate them on the historical background of the national anthem for them to embrace it.

10. The Debate on the Symbols

Keiz艒 Obuchi, the Prime Minister of the Liberal Democratic Part LDP) thought it was a good idea to draft legislation to make the Hinomaru and Kimi Ga Yo official symbols of Japan.

The Chief Cabinet Secretary, Hiromu Nonaka also wanted the legislation to be completed by the 10th anniversary of the coronation of Akihito as Emperor.

There was a backdrop of 1972 of the two symbols from, return of Okinawa to Japan and the 1973 oil crisis,  Prime Minister Kakuei Tanaka hinted at a law being passed legalizing both symbols.

In short, the House of Representatives passed the bill on July 22, 1999 by a majority vote of 403 out of 86.