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Japan Anthem

Friday 18th May 2001

Although the traditional anthem of Japan, its association with the barbarity of Japanese actions in the 1930's and 1940's has often led to calls for its replacement which have been fiercely opposed by traditional estalishment.

Ki-mi-ga-yo
o wa Chiyoni yachiyoni
sazare ishi no
iwa o to nari te
Koke no musu made

(English translation)

Thousands of years of happy reign be time
Rule on, my lord, till what are pebbles now,
By age united to mighty rocks shall grow,
Whoes venerable sides the moss doth line.