 This desire was later expanded to include both symbols on national holidays and during ceremonial events to encourage students on what national holidays are and to promote defense education.The Ministry not only took great measures to explain that both symbols are not formally established by law, they also referred to "Kimigayo" as a song and refused to call it the national anthem.It was not until 1977 that the Ministry referred to "Kimigayo" as the national anthem (, kokka) of Japan.