On 7/9/2003 9:57 PM, Eric Takabayashi wrote:
> Scott Reynolds wrote:
> 
>>>I am most definitely going to blame the organization for any people choosing to kill themselves,
>>>but no Scott, I doubt you would not see much regarding involvement if any, in the news.
>>
>>I don't remember seeing any, but I thought I would ask Masayuki about it
>>since he seems to still be interested in this incident. The rest of us
>>had pretty much forgotten about it by now.
>>
>>And why would you most definitely blame the BLL for for any people
>>choosing to kill themselves? Kindly do elaborate.
> 
> Sorry, NOT blame. Not only do I NOT blame the organization or issue for the decision to kill one's
> self, but even if I did, I most certainly would not tell people so.

And why is this? Is it because you support the tactics of the BLL and 
think that if a few eggs get broken along the way, well that is an 
acceptable loss in the pursuit of the larger aim. Or is it because 
speaking publicly about this issue might lead to undesirable 
consequences for you?

>>>There are people who do not like such visible symbols of the traditional system.
>>
>>Well, gosh! I managed to figure out that much for myself.
> 
> Then why don't you know some of the rest? Don't you get it in your child's school or from their
> teachers, either?

The teachers in my son's schools have never been in open rebellion 
against their principals, no. And as long as he has been attending 
Japanese schools (the past six years) they have always displayed the 
Hinomaru and sung Kimigayo at major school events. So I guess it is just 
not a big issue around here.

If you mean was I aware that Nikkyouso opposed making the Hinomaru and 
Kimigayo official and has always had a leftist leadership, then yes, I 
knew those things. They are common knowledge among people who live in 
this country.

>>Could you provide some more specifics, please?
> 
> I am sure Masayuki would be happy to tell you (his opinion at least), but it is no secret. It's a
> simple net search away, even if you've never heard it yourself.

I was asking a question with a fairly narrow focus, actually. I know 
that as a "radical" organization it is natural that the BLL would be on 
the side of those who oppose giving official status to the Hinomaru and 
Kimigayo. But I still am curious about two things. First, why is this 
issue SO important to the BLL? The article makes it seem like they 
considered it even more important than the Nikkyouso did. Why? Second, 
in what way could the Hinomaru and Kimigayo possibly have anything to do 
with douwa kyouiku, which (at lease as I understand it) is supposed to 
be about teaching people not to discriminate against others over things 
like family background and place of origin. Perhaps there is a clear 
connection between douwa kyouiku and the Hinomaru and Kimigayo issue, 
but I don't see it.

These two points were what I was asking about, specifically. If you have 
any insights, I would really like to hear them. After all, you have 
experience working within the school system in Hiroshima, so you are in 
a good position to know.

> What is your professional interpretation of the Kimigayo, for example? Whom does it address, or what
> message, if any, does it convey?

It's the Japanese equivalent of God Save the Queen in Britain. It 
expresses a wish for the health and wellbeing of the Emperor.

> Maybe it hails the Emperor, and maybe the Hinomaru is an undesirable symbol for Japan, due to its
> involvement with the Imperial Family and the war, but I don't worry about that myself. I can show my
> respect for the nation and the Emperor without supporting the war or historically based
> discrimination.
> 
> But the issue should be considered much more carefully (particularly in Japan, where they would be
> expected to do such things) than simply steamrolling it through the Diet and threatening and
> punishing those who do not comply with the (new) law when so many may be opposed to it, or so
> outspoken about it.

I agree entirely. The LDP handled this one extremely badly, basically 
ensuring that a bad taste would be left in people's mouths for a long 
time to come.

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_______________________________________________________________
Scott Reynolds                                      sar@gol.com