Parents of children who attend public schools in Tokyo urged the Tokyo Metropolitan Board of Education on Wednesday to retract its punishment of teachers who refused to stand up and sing "Kimigayo" at graduation ceremonies.

Eriko Maruhama criticized Tuesday's decision by the education board, saying the board should be tolerant of various opinions regarding the national anthem.

"As a parent, I don't believe that education can be achieved (at schools where) the thoughts of teachers are restrained through punishment," Maruhama told a news conference at the Foreign Corespondents' Club of Japan in Tokyo.

Maruhama and other parents collected the signatures of some 8,000 people -- including parents of children who attend 85 schools run by the metropolitan government -- who are against the education board's policy of forcing teachers to hoist the Hinomaru flag and sing "Kimigayo" at school ceremonies, she said.

"Kimigayo" and the Hinomaru, legally recognized as the official song and flag of Japan, provoke controversy due to their links with Japan's militarist past.

Kou Bitin, whose daughter studies at a metropolitan high school, said she has mixed feelings about "Kimigayo" and the Hinomaru because her mother grew up in Taiwan under Japanese colonial rule.

"Detailed orders by the board bring to mind (Japan's actions) during World War II and make me sad," she said.

Kou said her daughter did not stand up and sing "Kimigayo" at elementary school and junior high school.