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69 Comments

A man holding a Rising Sun flag is instructed by officials not to wave it ahead of the U-20 Women's World Cup quarterfinal soccer match between Japan and South Korea at Tokyo's National Stadium on Thursday night. Japan won the game 3-1.

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Kudos to the officials for stopping this idiot!

14 ( +20 / -6 )

Looks like a well adjusted lad. And at the match strictly as a fan I'm sure.

2 ( +4 / -2 )

How come the Japanese can keep things under control in a fairly dignified manner, yet the Koreans cannot (will not)? The Japanese will ban provocative flags, yet the Koreans supported the football player at the Olympics (and still do), sent their president to Takeshima, and sent students to Takeshima to play basketball in front of the media.

5 ( +16 / -11 )

How come the Japanese can keep things under control in a fairly dignified manner, yet the Koreans cannot (will not)?

I guess freedom of expression is valued more in Korea? Maybe cause Japan was the aggressor in past history. Maybe the Japanese are hosting the game. How come the Brits can't control their fans?

What nationality were the hooligans in the last world cup hosted by Japan?

-6 ( +9 / -15 )

That flag still flies on every Japanese Navy (JMSDF) ship. I don't really get what the big deal is. The guy is trying to show his patriotism, I don't think that is a bad thing.

-8 ( +9 / -17 )

The police here in Japan were not only lucky but they are on HIGH ALERT to keep these idiot fools from the Japanese Right Wing as far as possible from Koreans here in Japan. Last Sunday, walking near Yotsuya 3 chome, tons and tons of Japanese police. Why?? They were trying to keep the idiot fools Right Wing from attacking the South Korean Embassy, or I am not sure if it an embassy but it sure look like a South Korean Embassy, and it was not pretty, at least 50 of these Japanese Right Wing fools dressed in black hakamas?? Like samurais?? So it is a mistake that only Koreans have stupid hot headed folk, the Japanese do to and this fool at the soccer game is only the tip of the iceberg! By the way, how did this idiot Japanese get the flag into the stadium??

1 ( +8 / -7 )

So much for freedom of speech in Japan. Fascism at its finest.

-9 ( +6 / -15 )

By the way, how did this idiot Japanese get the flag into the stadium??

This is too good, excellent post by the way. But this last line is too good to pass up. I think since that guy is so fat he probably swallowed the flag and regurgitated it up after he got into the stadium or he could have pulled it out the other end as a magic trick.

4 ( +7 / -3 )

Yes...let's all make sure that no one is ever offended by political speech.

-2 ( +2 / -4 )

It is really funny that the Koreans just started critisizing the rising sun flag recently. The Japanese sport fans have always used this flag to cheer their athetes and soccer/baseball team as this flag also symbolizes victory. Even in Seoul olympics this flag was used without any problem. It seems that the Koreans started demonizing this flag after the Dokto political performance conducted by a Korean soccer player in London 2012 olympics in order to destract unwanted attention to this incidence. If the rising sun flag which was adopted in 19th century should be banned because of WWII, then all of the national and military flags of countries that used to be imperial and colonial powers should be banned too. In addition, Koreans who were the collaborators of the Japanese Empire (Just like the Austrians with Nazi Germany) are not in the position to critisize this flag. It looks like the Koreans always try to find something new to blame Japan just like with that of Sea of Japan/East Sea stupid argument (claiming that the name Sea of Japan is the symbol of Japanese imperialism and should be changed to east sea). Koreans, please grow up!

6 ( +13 / -7 )

Koreans, please grow up!

Japanese government, please grow up!

-5 ( +7 / -12 )

Stay on topic please.

0 ( +0 / -0 )

dude it is a soccer game, a youth woman's soccer game at that. We do not need right wing zealots making it a political event.

9 ( +11 / -2 )

Yes...let's all make sure that no one is ever offended by political speech.

There is a time and a place for it and an international soccer match is not the place.

7 ( +10 / -2 )

What a bad azz... Take the night off video games and Mom to head to young women's soccer game to piss people off. Perhaps an A4 size flag would have been better besides being a selfish twit.

1 ( +2 / -1 )

There is a time and a place for it and an international soccer match is not the place

Or the perfect place, depending on one's political beliefs. To make that decision for this guy is limiting his speech. Now, you can say that one has free speech in Japan, but the qualifier is that only accepted speech is free and only in accepted venues. Of course, this kind of refutes the argument that one has the right to free speech in Japan. You can't have it both ways.

-2 ( +3 / -5 )

There is a time and a place for it , , , ,

Yubaru, wrong again. There is no proper time and place for freedom. Unfortunately it can often be messy and not the neat and tidy thing you might wish it to be, but that is simply the nature of this beast.

-7 ( +2 / -8 )

It's just a flag. It's not a banner with a slogan. He isn't accepting a medal at the olympics. The JDSF still uses a version of the rising sun flag. Also in Japan is still very common to see and use this flag at sporting events. This is a soccer match right?

1 ( +6 / -5 )

Even the Asahi Shinbun (Asahi Newspaper) flag is similar to the naval flag.

2 ( +4 / -2 )

Even the Asahi Shinbun (Asahi Newspaper) flag is similar to the naval flag.

And they are a model of centrist political beliefs ? Yeah right.

-2 ( +0 / -2 )

kurumazaka,

I understand if a Chinese citizen especially those who experienced the Japanese invasion get upset if they see this flag. But as I said in my previous post, this flag should not be banned because of WWII, otherwize we have to ban all of the flags of the countries that have imperialistic past including the Chinese flag. But when it comes to Koreans, they are in no position to ciritisize this flag as they collaborated with the Japanese military in WWII. Korean soldiers in the Japanese military were notorious for their cruelty against Chinese civilians and POWs, and yet they think that they were victims. Please note that Koreans started to make fuss over this problem after the soccer incidence. The Japanese fans have been using this flag for a long time and even in the matches against Koreans, however the Koreans and Korean media were not as hysteric as now. Why suddenly now?

-1 ( +3 / -4 )

TigersTokyoDome: "How come the Japanese can keep things under control in a fairly dignified manner, yet the Koreans cannot (will not)?"

I'm not surprised I have to spell this out to you but look at the picture and what do you see? You see a guy, who's probably not even a fan but solely going there for 'revenge', visibly carrying a MASSIVE flag and who is clearly a right-winger. Now, contrast that with a Korean soccer PLAYER on the field who suddenly whips out a flag that could NOT be seen before hand and who could not be stopped by officials. Now... can you see the difference?

And please don't talk about stopping things in a dignified manner; you often hear about police turning away protesters at Yasukuni because the right wingers are there in full swing, not stopping the right wingers from screaming, playing music at super-high decibles, and dragging flags through the mud or what have you.

0 ( +7 / -7 )

I like the guy in the pic laughing behind this nutjob.

3 ( +6 / -3 )

TigersTokyoDome: Anyway, if the police here were behaving in the manner you describe he wouldn't simply ask the lout not to wave the flag during the game but would confiscate it to guarantee there's no problem. I'm quite sure a person intent on going to a game to wave the old flag is still going to do so despite a polite request from the security.

-1 ( +2 / -3 )

why is there a law against waving this flag? is it prohibited in the posted rules for the stadium? if not, there is no reason he should have stopped. i wouldn't.

4 ( +5 / -1 )

Smith,

The flags are used everywhere in Japan. There is nothing right wing about it except to those delusional Korean and Chinese. This us again something that was brought up by the koreans only after the stupid display by the korean soccer player which goes to show that they will ALMOST ALWAYS FIND SOMETHING TO BITCH about when it comes to Japan. The flag is also used as a logo for Asahi Shinbun, for chriss sake!!!

2 ( +9 / -7 )

I don't see what the big deal is. The rising sun is, after all, the JMSDF naval standard.

The idea that the rising sun flag is effectively the same as the Nazi symbol is ludicrous. Japan first used the symbol in 1870 - long before it had become a colonial power. In contrast, the Nazi symbol was adopted only a few years prior to the atrocities committed by Germany, and it was specifically adopted by the faction that ordered those atrocities to be carried out

-1 ( +3 / -4 )

Nothing wrong with that particular flag. While we're at it, bring back the German swastika.

-5 ( +5 / -10 )

This is a sport event, where both teams have worked hard to participate.

It is not appropriate for this person to just "show up" and ride on the work of others, to attempt to push his political statement.

3 ( +3 / -0 )

Deplore-- While that flag may not have been adopted for that specific purpose, many in the world see it as such. For a country that supposedly respects everyone's opinion, it's a bit ridiculous that one would take this flag to a match against a country that feels this way. It's the same as a white American going to an historically all black college in the states waving a Confederate flag. It's just disrespectful.

1 ( +2 / -1 )

His armband tells me he's one of the " Black Truck guys " !!!!! You know the guys with the loud speaker always hangout out at train stations.

When they come police never stop these creepy individuals & usually disappear from their little box stations.

I like his tweedle dum haircut !!!!! Your cool eyeglasses dude !!!!!

5 ( +6 / -1 )

Sport fans waving their national flag inside the sport arena is ok. That officer are just overacting or perhaps his superior do..

-3 ( +1 / -4 )

Wow. It appears it was the JFA who asked the fans to not display the rising sun flag because it may disrupt the Korean supporters. < http://www.sanspo.com/soccer/news/20120831/jpn12083105010001-n1.html>

-2 ( +3 / -5 )

latienda: Nothing wrong with waving the flag and being patriotic, but It's obvious that this guy isn't a "sports fan". His only purpose being at the match is to agitate.

3 ( +3 / -0 )

seems like eveyone is happy in the photo.

0 ( +1 / -1 )

Black Truck dude go home !!!!!

1 ( +1 / -0 )

Folks,

This particular Japanese flag easily carries as much baggage as the swastika, come on use your noodles, there are even many people in Japan that dont like it, its a scary symbol of an awful time & while it is still in widespread use in Japan that just is more evidence that Japan cant admit its history & many still dream for those sick sick times of the 1930-40s.

-2 ( +3 / -5 )

But, but if the change flag what will happen with the Umeboshi on rice in bento's?

Square rice red Umeboshi in the centre is representation of the Flag.

-2 ( +0 / -2 )

Except these flags were everywhere during the Seoul Olympics among Japanese supporters. Like I stated previously, they'll always come up with something.

-1 ( +4 / -5 )

There is a stunning lack of defense for free speech here. Are people afraid of something or just annoyed that someone is saying something about which you do not agree? Did he threaten anyone? Did he break a law? Bad manners is not a crime, is it?

Perhaps there a list of accepted ideologies, words, phrases of which I am unaware. Someone please show me the link to that list, lest I say the wrong thing. Is there a map showing the locations of free speech zones?

So, what happens when someone is offended by something you say. Would you still feel that you have the right to say it after taking away this man's right? I do not understand the rules of political correctness.

0 ( +2 / -2 )

I wonder something about Japanese flag and S Korean flag. Both flags are resembling somehow. Flags have a red circle on white rectangular cloth but Korean shows more and not a complete red circle It seems that basic idea of their flags is something same. Why resembling?

-2 ( +0 / -2 )

That flag still flies on every Japanese Navy (JMSDF) ship. I don't really get what the big deal is. The guy is trying to >show his patriotism, I don't think that is a bad thing.

Patriotism isn't a bad thing, but many Japanese actually think that flag represents Japan's not so passive past. In the same way some Japanese don't want to be forced to sing the national anthem.

1 ( +1 / -0 )

Heck, I don't like to sing my own nation national anthem, we mostly use the unofficial wording.

0 ( +0 / -0 )

nigelboy: "The flags are used everywhere in Japan. There is nothing right wing about it except to those delusional Korean and Chinese."

Only those who think this guy wasn't take it to draw some ire are delusional, my friend. I think it's pretty clear what the intent was. After all, when you see Japanese fans in the stands at the Olympics or other intenational events how many of those flags do you actually see? I woudn't care one wit if I saw someone waving one, but the fact that the guy is just going to cause trouble (and the officer clearly knew that) is proof that there are nutjobs on all sides, and that's something you cannot deny.

2 ( +5 / -3 )

Gobshite: "Patriotism isn't a bad thing,"

Not at all. Nationalism, on the other hand, can be a bad thing -- especially blind nationalism like so many on both sides have.

0 ( +3 / -3 )

Not at all. Nationalism, on the other hand, can be a bad thing -- especially blind nationalism like so many on both >sides have.

I agree. It's a shame that some people don't know the difference

2 ( +2 / -0 )

Read the article I linked smith. There are already YouTube videos everywhere where the security personnel are advising normal soccer fans to put down the flags. Can you read Japanese??????

-2 ( +2 / -4 )

I don't see what the big deal is. The rising sun is, after all, the JMSDF naval standard.

Exactly. So why bring it to a football match? You don't see many destroyers patrolling around the National Stadium.

0 ( +1 / -1 )

Enjoy the game, no left, no right.

1 ( +1 / -0 )

patriotism and antagonism are different

1 ( +1 / -0 )

In such steamy weather, me wonders what's under his long sleeve shirt -

1 ( +1 / -0 )

What is it with bubby boy geeks and the right wing? This is an international thing.

1 ( +2 / -1 )

Freedom of speech is a great thing but so is awareness of timing. This was a good thing to ask him to not wave the flag. Tensions are high right now and JP does not want to be the aggressor. Yes, this is one man but the other countries see it as the voice of the nation.

People keep saying freedom of speech but think about it this way. If you were hiding from people trying to kill you with a friend and your friend just kept crying and screaming out of fear. What would you do? You boast freedom of speech, so technically you would not be able to even tell your friend to stop because its their right to express their fear of the situation right? Freedom of speech is great until your speech threatens the livelihood of the society you live in. Who are you to bring danger into my life?

These officials are trying to prevent an international event. Waving that flag around will do nothing but fuel this fire. Also its not just that its the japanese flag. Its that it is the flag that was used during WWII. Its the Imperial Army Flag and not the current flag. The JDFs flag is a little different. The Imperial flag represents a lot of negative things about japans history for most of the world including many in japan.

Same reason many African Americans dont like the confederate flag of the south.

2 ( +4 / -2 )

He looks like president Kim from North Korea.

That was a good move on the part of the cop.

1 ( +1 / -0 )

People keep saying freedom of speech but think about it this way. If you were hiding from people trying to kill you with a friend and your friend just kept crying and screaming out of fear. What would you do? You boast freedom of speech, so technically you would not be able to even tell your friend to stop because its their right to express their fear of the situation right?

Seriously, Al? Screaming in fear would hardly be considered protected political speech.

He looks like president Kim from North Korea.

Are you talking about the cop? In fact, one would find this policy of selective political speech roundly approved in North Korea.

0 ( +1 / -1 )

nigelboy: "Can you read Japanese??????"

I most certainly can, and it would be nice if you address the points made in posts instead of avoiding them. In regular games such as this, you see HEAPS of fans waving the Hi no Maru, which is perfectly normal. I've never seen them waving the old Imperial flag (still the navy flag, I know). It's GOOD that police and security are advising them to put down THAT flag, because clearly if they chose to use that flag over the regular Hi no Maru then they are just there to try and cause trouble.

Like I said, nuts on both sides. Not sure why you can't admit it.

1 ( +2 / -1 )

It was just one example but if you cant see the link between the two situations or expand on your own what i'm getting at then look at it this way: Your are in a bar, your friend wants to fight but you dont. What do you do?

1 ( +1 / -0 )

Your are in a bar, your friend wants to fight but you dont. What do you do?

What does this have to do with the Constitutional right to free speech?

1 ( +1 / -0 )

How come the Brits can't control their fans?

Yay, let's bash Britain again! Muppet

Anyway, I can see how this flag could cause a riot, and Black Van Man has obviously gone there to provoke South Korean supporters. I remember I saw a fleet of these vans at Ueno station a few years ago and riot police were everywhere... I just turned and walked away.

I know it's the JMSDF flag, and is therefore a legitimate standard, but out of context I can see how upsetting it would be to people. Maybe this guy should just go home and get into his Zion uniform and watch some Gundam.

2 ( +2 / -0 )

The guy looks like a real football fan.... not

1 ( +1 / -0 )

no idea what an analogy is? Have you ever heard the saying: Dont punish many for the few. Or Guilt by Association.

This guy is proudly showing his pride for his country but he is not thinking about how others will be affected by his outburst. Koreans will not see it as one man showing off, they see it as the nation showing off.

1 ( +2 / -1 )

be proud of what you are....

0 ( +0 / -0 )

It's a flag. Nothing more, nothing less. Only the easily offended make up reasons for getting angry... It's just a flag... A flag never caused harm or pain to anyone...

-1 ( +0 / -1 )

I most certainly can, and it would be nice if you address the points made in posts instead of avoiding them. In regular games such as this, you see HEAPS of fans waving the Hi no Maru, which is perfectly normal. I've never seen them waving the old Imperial flag (still the navy flag, I know). It's GOOD that police and security are advising them to put down THAT flag, because clearly if they chose to use that flag over the regular Hi no Maru then they are just there to try and cause trouble.

Apparently you didn't.

< http://ilove-s.cocolog-nifty.com/blog/images/2010/03/06/img_0155.jpg> http://b.chaoo.jp/imgdb/shop_diary/6279-1.jpg

http://go-stadium.net/diary/2001/20011107h03.jpg http://www.plus-blog.sportsnavi.com/account/kkaazztt/images/kkaazztt-187509.jpg http://img.pics.livedoor.com/008/c/f/cf2ff416f94ff3d9ad6b-LL.JPG

This whole mess started started with the stupid Korean soccer player in the Olympics where IOC decided to banned him from the medal ceremonies. Right after this, for some stupid reason, a group of Korean citizens wrote a protest letter to the IOC demanding that the Japan's gymnastic team be stripped of medals because their uniforms resembled Japan's Ensign.

This was followed by KFA demanding that the flag be removed from the stadium during the U-20 World Cup with a threat of boycott. Although there is no restrictions on bringing the Japan's Rising Flag Ensign, the JFA and the stadium security were instructed to advise the fans from not displaying it during the match against the Koreans. Unfortunately for the poor security guards, they were literally instructed to advise and advise and advise until the fans put down their flag for they would not leave until such fan would put it down.

Here's my suggestion smith. Instead of speculating on what happened, I suggest a little more research on the subject. Hence, I cannot possibly "address the points you made" because you made up your mind that the people who are bringing the flag, for some unknown reason, is a trouble maker to you.

-1 ( +2 / -3 )

Too bad, because the "Rising Sun" ensign is one of the most beautiful flag designs ever conceived.

0 ( +0 / -0 )

kwatt

I wonder something about Japanese flag and S Korean flag. Both flags are resembling somehow. Flags have a red circle on white rectangular cloth but Korean shows more and not a complete red circle It seems that basic idea of their flags is something same. Why resembling?

Repost-I don't see it myself. The Korean flag has four I Ching symbols from the ancient Chinese Book of Changes. On the upper left side is Ch'ien which means force = heaven. The bottom left side is Li which means radiance = fire. The upper right side is K'an which means gorge = water. The bottom right side is K'un which means field = earth . In addition you have the Ying Yang symbol in the center. It's one of the most spiritual flags I have ever seen.

0 ( +0 / -0 )

Yubaru, wrong again. There is no proper time and place for freedom. Unfortunately it can often be messy and not the neat and tidy thing you might wish it to be, but that is simply the nature of this beast.

I do believe you are wrong, and using your by your logic it is fine for anyone with a gripe has the right to disrupt events, like this soccer match, and take the focus away from the event for their own political views?

I disagree. Like I said there is a time and place for everything. If he wanted to "wave his flag", do it outside the stadium, and let people stay focused on the event in question, in this case a soccer match.

1 ( +1 / -0 )

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