Japan's National Anthem

The following is the national anthem of Japan "Kimi Ga Yo"-



Translated from kanji to kana and from romanji to English; it reads like the following-

君が代は 千代に八千代に 細石の 巌となりて 苔の生すまで

きみがよは ちよにやちよに さざれいしの いわおとなりて こけのむすまで

Kimigayo wa Chiyo ni yachiyo ni Sazare-ishi no Iwao to narite Koke no musu made

May your reign Continue for a thousand, eight thousand generations, Until the pebbles Grow into boulders Lush with moss

Kimi Ga Yo is required to be played at most sporting events and all school and government functions. It is also required that all teachers and students stand to attention as the anthem is being played. In recent years some teachers/students have refused to stand to the anthem however as it may be perceived as a throwback to the old imperial ideology nationalism of Japan (Pre World War 2).

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