National Anthem etiquette

[seanachie]

When I was in Japan, I would always stand and face the Japanese flag during the playing of the Kimigayo, but I would not sing with those present, as I didn't feel it would be appropriate. Plus, there was (and still is) a LOT of political contention about playing the anthem at official school events. The two sides are very polarized and I didn't wish to make a political statement one way or the other.

JIM: I am not asking for a position, just a neutral explanation, but why would playing a National Anthem at a school event be controversial? One would think that good citizenship would be core to a school's mission. It seems a bit different. Something akin to a Japanese variation of Church and State?

P.S. I hope you don't find it disrespectful but as an avid hockey fan I routinely join in "O Canada", and by complete happenstance was in a New Zealand pub some years ago when a rugby tournament was on. Team members and supporters from the different nations spontaneously, and with the aid of a few pints, started each singing their national anthems. The sole Canuck, started to falter as he sang solo, with great chagrin, after other nations had numerous participants so I helped out to finish for which he was extremely grateful.