This weekend, while attending my host brother and sister's karate shi-ai, I was faced with the same choice that has resulted in the punishment of over 388 Japanese school teachers. I had tuned out the speeches during the opening ceremony, so when I looked up from my Nintendo DS screen and saw everybody standing, I did the natural thing and copied everyone else. At first I was confused, but once the music started and I saw the flags being raised at the front of the room I knew instantly what it was.
I didn't know what to do. Should I sit down? Should I just follow the culture norm and stand? Nobody was singing, and I did spot two people across the stadium who were not standing. At the same time, I was here with my family and I didn't want to insult them or make the day into a political debate. Incidentally, before I could make up my mind about what to do, the song ended and the ceremony broke up so the shi-ai could begin.
A bit unrelated, but interesting nonetheless. These are some videos I took at the shi-ai. The first is a group kata competition, and the second is a sparring match between some of the older students.