WEBJan 26, 2024 · Kimigayo ( ja. 君が代, pron. [kʲimʲiɡa̠ꜜjo̞] "kee-mee-gah-yoh"; "His Imperial Majesty's Reign") is the national anthem of Japan, adopted on 13 August 1999. The lyrics are based on a Heian-era waka poem and the music was composed by Yoshiisa Oku and Akimori Hayashi, and arranged by Franz Eckert in 1880. [1]