The Tokyo District Court ruled Wednesday against a teacher who refused to play "Kimigayo" on the piano during a public elementary school ceremony in 1999 and later sought to repeal an education board reprimand.
In rejecting the teacher's request, presiding Judge Yukio Yamaguchi said, "Public servants' freedom of thought and conscience are subject to restraint when working" due to their official status and related responsibilities.
"Even if there are various opinions about the school principal's official order to play the piano, the order should be accepted," Yamaguchi said, rejecting a claim that the teacher was mistreated.
Yamaguchi also rejected the teacher's claim that the school had breached the Constitution by trying to force the teacher to play the anthem on the piano.
In April 1999, the teacher refused an official order to play "Kimigayo" during an entrance ceremony at the school, located in the city of Hino in western Tokyo, according to the court. The school instead used taped accompaniment.
The Tokyo Metropolitan Government board of education reprimanded the teacher in June 1999.