Opposition factions such as Japan Teachers Union (Nikkyoso) asserted that they did not raise the flag and did not carry out chorus reading of "Kimigayo" on the grounds that it was against freedom of thought and freedom of conscience guaranteed by the Constitution.
日本教職員組合などの反対派は憲法が保障する思想・良心の自由に反するとして、旗の掲揚並びに「君が代」斉唱は行わないと主張した。