Imperial Japan Flag Offensive
The rising sun flag existed before japan went to war and the nature of the issue is different from that of the swastika flag which was created to symbolize the nazi regime s political ideologies although the rising sun flag was designed to serve as the naval ensign it has also served other purposes throughout japan s history.
Imperial japan flag offensive. Personally i find it extremely offensive when it is used at sporting matches. As the flag was used by the imperial japanese military during japan s actions during world war ii it is regarded as offensive by some in east asia particularly in south korea which was ruled by japan and china. You can call it japan s naval flag all you like. South korea has condemned japan s refusal to ban images of the former imperial flag of the rising sun from the tokyo olympic games next summer as relations between seoul and tokyo continue to sour.
The continued use of the flag causes significant problems with japan s neighbors many of which link the rising sun symbol to imperial aggression and war crimes that they think japan hasn t fully. The flag was used by the imperial japanese army and the country s navy and defense forces still use. This symbol is often associated with japanese imperialism in the early 20th century in these two countries. For the japanese right flying the rising sun flag is part of a collective effort to cleanse the history of imperial japan s aggression during the second world war.
The rising sun flag refers to the flag of imperial japan s military particularly the imperial japanese navy during and before world war ii. That is what s happening with japan s rising sun flag and the tokyo 2020 olympics. It has a red circle on a white background with sixteen red rays extending from the circle. However it is a symbol of japan s imperial rule of asia in the first half of last century.
It was adopted as the naval ensign in 1870.