Teacher who refused to play anthem loses appeal

Japan's Supreme Court yesterday rejected an appeal by a teacher who was punished for refusing to play the de facto national anthem in school because she felt it symbolized Japan's past militarism, a court official said.

Court official Toru Inuma said the court dismissed the teacher's appeal, but refused to give details.

The ruling was the first decision by Japan's top court on a series of lawsuits brought by teachers who were punished for refusing to honor the anthem and the flag, Kyodo News agency said.