Metropolitan government ordered to pay damages to ex-teachers

Former teachers at Tokyo metropolitan government-run high schools attend a press conference in Tokyo on May 25, 2015, after the Tokyo District Court ordered the local government to pay damages over its rejection of post-retirement re-employment following their refusal to stand up and sing the national anthem "Kimigayo" at school ceremonies. Some teachers argue that being ordered to stand and sing the anthem in front of the Hinomaru flag infringes on their freedom of thought and conscience. (Kyodo) ==Kyodo