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Room of Japan · Japan at a glance
Kimigayo, the national anthem
In short
Kimigayo is Japan’s national anthem. The Act on National Flag and Anthem (1999) says so in Article 2, and the law itself contains its words and music.
National anthemAct No. 127 of 1999
君が代Kimigayo- Set by
- Article 2 of the Act on National Flag and Anthem
- Words and music
- in the law’s Appendix 2
- Same law also sets
- the national flag, the Nisshoki
From e-Gov Laws.
What the law says
Article 2 of the Act on National Flag and Anthem (Act No. 127 of 1999) says that the national anthem is Kimigayo.
It also says that the words and music of Kimigayo are as shown in Appendix 2 of the law.
The words
The law gives the words in Japanese as: 君が代は 千代に八千代に さざれ石の いわおとなりて こけのむすまで
Read aloud, this is: Kimigayo wa / chiyo ni yachiyo ni / sazare-ishi no / iwao to narite / koke no musu made.
The flag in the same law
Article 1 of the same law says that the national flag is the Nisshoki, and sets its shape and colors.
Think about it
- Q1Why do you think the words and music are written into the law itself?
- Q2The flag and the anthem are in the same short law. Why might they be kept together?
- Q3Does your country’s anthem appear in a law?
There is no single right answer. Talking it over with someone at home is a good way to learn.
Did you know? — The law itself includes both the words and the music of Kimigayo.