Japan's Law Concerning the National Flag and Anthem (国旗及び国歌に関する法律, kokki oyobi kokka ni kan suru hōritsu) or Proclamation No. 127 states only that:

1. Kimi Ga Yo is the national anthem of Japan
2. The Hinomaru is the national flag of Japan.

The law took effect on 13 August 1999. A vote in the House of Councillors had passed the measure on August 9 by a vote of 166 to 71, following passage by the House of Representatives on July 22 by a vote of 403 to 86. Sazare-ishi, a kind of boulder grown from pebbles, at Shimogamo Shrine in Kyoto Kimi Ga Yo (君が代) (often translated as Imperial Reign) is Japans National Anthem, and is also one of the worlds shortest national anthems in current use. ... A national anthem is a generally patriotic musical composition that is evoking and eulogizing the history, traditions and struggles of its people, recognzed either by a nations government as the official national song, or by convention through use by the people. ... Flag ratio: 2:3 The national flag of Japan, (vexillological symbol: ) known as the Nisshohki (日章旗) or Hinomaru (日の丸 sun disc) in Japanese, is a base white flag with a large red disc (representing the sun) in the centre. ... August 13 is the 225th day of the year in the Gregorian Calendar (226th in leap years), with 140 days remaining. ... 1999 (MCMXCIX) was a common year starting on Friday, and was designated the International Year of Older Persons by the United Nations. ... The House of Councillors (参議院; Sangi-in) is the upper house of the Diet of Japan. ... August 9 is the 221st day of the year in the Gregorian Calendar (222nd in leap years), with 144 days remaining. ... The House of Representatives (衆議院; Shugi-in) is the lower house of the Diet of Japan. ... July 22 is the 203rd day (204th in leap years) of the year in the Gregorian Calendar, with 162 days remaining. ...

In 1999, at a Hiroshima Prefecture high school graduation ceremony, several teachers refused to participate in the raising of the flag and singing of Kimi Ga Yo. The school principal, caught between the demands of the Ministry of Education and the teachers, eventually committed suicide. The incident renewed interest in the official status of the national anthem and the national flag, which culminated in the proposal and passage of this law. The headquarters of the government of the prefecture are in this building in the city of Hiroshima. ... Academic procession during the University of Canterbury graduation ceremony. ... Office building Office building The Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology ), also known as MEXT, is one of the ministries of the Japanese government. ...