Since Asahi Shimbun and the Japanese Communist Party began promoting postwar “democracy,” a self-denigrating view of history has spread throughout Japan. This essay examines how distorted debates over the national flag and anthem emerged, how teachers’ unions enforced ideological conformity, and how these ideas even produced shameful scenes on the world stage.

This is a continuation of the previous chapter.

On this day, even the title, “What Is Happening at Graduation Ceremonies Concerning the National Flag and Anthem,” gave off an unpleasant Asahi Shimbun–like premonition, and the content was indeed thoroughly “Asahi-like.”

The newscaster Hiroko Kunitani took up the issue of whether teachers should stand during the national anthem at graduation ceremonies as though it were an extremely serious problem.

Standing during the national anthem.
That is common sense throughout the world.

It is not even a subject that NHK should be taking up.

However, it is certainly true that in Japan, ever since the late 1960s, after the so-called “postwar democracy” led by the Asahi Shimbun and the Communist Party—and its byproduct, the masochistic view of history—began to prevail, foolish debates have arisen over the Hinomaru flag and the content of the national anthem.

The Japan Teachers’ Union and other Communist-affiliated groups have claimed that the national flag and anthem lead to militarism, that under this flag Korea was colonized and Asian countries were invaded, and in line with such assertions, expressions such as “freedom of conscience not to sing the national anthem” also emerged.

As a result, Tae Satoya, who stood on the victory podium in mogul skiing, even exposed to the world the shameful sight of not removing her hat during the playing of the national anthem.

However, precisely because “Asia was liberated and gained independence thanks to Japan” (Prime Minister Mahathir), there also emerged America’s postwar plan: “Therefore, Japan must be made into a nation that should be hated as an aggressor” (U.S. Secretary of State Hull).

This column continues.