The rising sun flag

The rising sun flag

Subject: International relations

Context: The rising sun flag has created anger at the Olympics, with some of the host nation’s neighbors calling for it to be banned during the Tokyo Games, which start Friday

Concept:

Origin

• There are two rising sun flags associated with Japan, whose very name in Japanese means “the sun’s origin.” One is the country’s national flag, called “nisshoki,” or “hinomaru,” which has a red disc on a white background..
• The other one also has a red disc, but it is surrounded by 16 rays that extend outward. Called “kyokujitsuki,” this one has led to vehement protests from some of Japan’s neighbors.
• Japan’s imperial navy used it as its official flag as the nation colonized the Korean Peninsula and invaded or occupied China and other Asian countries until its World War II defeat in 1945.
• It’s still Japan’s navy flag, used by the Maritime Self-Defense Force and, in a slightly modified version, by the Ground-Self Defense Force since 1954.
• Even today, the rising sun with rays flag motif is used in everyday life in Japan, such as to celebrate a big catch by fishermen, childbirth and other festivities, the government says.
• Japan’s neighbors view it differently.

Issues

• Japan considers the “rising sun” flag part of its history.
• The flag is a reminder of Japan’s wartime atrocities, and is comparable to the Nazi swastika.
• Seoul said that the flag recalls the “scars and pain” of Asian people , similar to how the swastika “reminds Europeans of the nightmare of World War II.”
• North Korea’s state media, not known for understatement, have accused Japan of trying to turn “the flag of war criminals” into a symbol of peace at the Olympics, saying that is “an intolerable insult to our people and other Asian people.”
• China is also highly sensitive to perceived slights from the Japanese government, individuals and companies