The Kanagawa Prefectural Board of Education has been urged to stop collecting and keeping the names of high-school teachers who refuse to show respect for the national anthem at school ceremonies, board officials said Oct. 29.

The recommendation was made by a prefectural panel on protection of personal information, which has determined such information falls under the category of personal beliefs and creeds, which are banned from being compiled.

Since March 2006, the board has ordered the principals of prefecture-run high schools to report the names of teachers who refuse to stand and sing Kimigayo at ceremonies.