Editing Kimigayo (section)

== Protocol ==
[[File:Kimi ga Yo at volleyball tournament.jpg|thumb|upright=1.15|A photo taken on 6 November 2007, as "Kimigayo" was being played before a volleyball tournament in [[Osaka|Ōsaka]]]]

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 the lyrics in [[hiragana]]. The anthem is composed in 4/4 ([[Time signature|common time]]) in the [[Dorian mode]].<ref name="law">{{cite web|title=国旗及び国歌に関する法律（平成十一年法律第百二十七号）|trans-title=Act on National Flag and Anthem, Act No.&nbsp;127 in the 11th year of [[Heisei era|Heisei]] (1999)|url=https://elaws.e-gov.go.jp/document?lawid=411AC0000000127|access-date=30 March 2021|date=13 August 1999|publisher=[[Government of Japan]]|language=ja|archive-date=4 June 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230604022952/https://elaws.e-gov.go.jp/document?lawid=411AC0000000127|url-status=live}}</ref> 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.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.mofa.go.jp/announce/announce/1999/8/809.html|title=Statement of Prime Minister Keizo Obuchi|access-date=17 May 2010|date=9 August 1999|publisher=Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Japan|archive-date=24 May 2011|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110524023306/http://www.mofa.go.jp/announce/announce/1999/8/809.html|url-status=live}}</ref> However, local government bodies and private organizations sometimes suggest or demand certain protocols be followed. For example, an October 2003 directive by 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 [[Flag of Japan|''Hinomaru'']].<ref>{{cite web|date=7 April 2004|url=http://search.japantimes.co.jp/cgi-bin/ed20040407a1.html|title=Editorial: Coercion can't foster respect|work=[[The Japan Times]] Online|access-date=19 December 2007|archive-date=26 May 2012|archive-url=https://archive.today/20120526023147/http://www.japantimes.co.jp/text/ed20040407a1.html|url-status=live}}</ref>  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 a competing team. At [[sumo|''sumō'']] tournaments, "Kimigayo" is played before the awards ceremony.<ref name="MOFA" />

=== Public schools ===
Since the [[end of World War II in Asia|end of World War&nbsp;II]], the [[Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology (Japan)|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 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 defence 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 the Ministry referred to {{nihongo|"Kimigayo"|君が代}} as the {{nihongo|national anthem|国歌|kokka}} of Japan.{{sfn|Goodman|Neary|1996|pp=81–83}} 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".{{sfn|Trevor|2001|p=78}} Punishments for school officials who did not follow this order were also enacted with the 1989 reforms.{{sfn|Goodman|Neary|1996|pp=81–83}}

The 1999 [[curriculum guideline]] issued by the [[Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology|Ministry of Education]] after the passage of the ''[[Act on National Flag and Anthem|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."<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.pref.hiroshima.lg.jp/kyouiku/hotline/02zesei/sankou/kokkikokka.htm |title=学習指導要領における国旗及び国歌の取扱い |trans-title=Handling of the flag and anthem in the National Curriculum|access-date=8 December 2009 |date=11 September 2001|publisher=Hiroshima Prefectural Board of Education Secretariat|language=ja|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110722112237/http://www.pref.hiroshima.lg.jp/kyouiku/hotline/02zesei/sankou/kokkikokka.htm |archive-date=22 July 2011 }}</ref> Additionally, 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, 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."<ref>{{cite web|title=小学校学習指導要領解説社会編，音楽編，特別活動編 |trans-title=National Curriculum Guide: Elementary social notes, Chapter music Chapter Special Activities |publisher=Ministry of Education |language=ja |year=1999 |url=http://cebc.jp/data/education/gov/jp/tsuuchi/19990917hatauta/data-02.htm |url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20060319210723/http://cebc.jp/data/education/gov/jp/tsuuchi/19990917hatauta/data-02.htm |archive-date=19 March 2006}}</ref> The ministry also stated that if Japanese students cannot respect their own symbols, then they will not be able to respect the symbols of other nations.{{sfn|Aspinall|2001|p=125}}