politics

Why Japan's 'rising sun' flag provokes Olympic ire

37 Comments
By HYUNG-JIN KIM and MARI YAMAGUCHI

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37 Comments

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The FACTS  International Fleet Reviews were held at South Korean in 1998 and 2008 where South Korean Navy waived Rising Sun Flag to welcome JSDF battleships docking the port.

13 ( +22 / -9 )

CrickyToday  06:25 pm JST

Yep blame those Koreans, Taiwanese who could expect worse treatment if they didn’t obey their Japanese officers

The Korean Anti-JP narrative claims that all Koreans in the IJA were "forced" into service and "forced" to be cruel to POWs. There were some 240,000 Koreans serving in the Imperial Japanese forces but forced conscription didn't start until 1944 when the tide of the war turned against Japan.

And no one gets "forced" into military service and rises to the rank of General.

"Hong Sa-ik (hangul 홍사익;hanja 洪思翊; 4 March 1889 – 26 September 1946),[1] and was also known by the Japanese pronunciation of his name - Shiyoku Kō (Japanese: 洪 思翊, Kō Shiyoku), was a lieutenant general in the Imperial Japanese Army, and the top-ranking ethnic Korean in Japan to be charged with war crimes relating to the conduct of the Empire of Japan in World War II.A graduate of the Imperial Japanese Army Academy, Hong was placed in command of the Japanese camps holding Allied (primarily U.S. and Filipino) prisoners of war in the Philippines during the latter part of World War II, where many of the camp guards were of Korean ethnicity.Hong was held responsible for all the atrocities committed by Imperial Japanese Army prison guards against allied POWs, and was hanged in 1946"

Comes a point where this historical revisionism just doesn't hold water.

11 ( +21 / -10 )

And another funny thing is the fact these South Korean anti-Japan tribalism worshippers never attack the company flag of Asahi-Shinbun run by ethnic Koreans.

11 ( +21 / -10 )

Yep blame those Koreans, Taiwanese who could expect worse treatment if they didn’t obey their Japanese officers. Or had the JIA completely lost control of their own troops.

-15 ( +10 / -25 )

Pekka almost said it all . This Rising-Sun mess essentially started at 2011 AFC Asian Cup by a Korean national team player Ki Sung-Yueng, and later the issue got fired by Seo Kyoung-Duk, a psychopath to the point where anything looking like it whatsoever got attacked by ethnic Koreans all over the places, whatever you all like to define "the art", "the freedom of expression" couldn't resist the storm. The wall design in Los Angels, the design of shirts, helmets, plates to serve meals, literally anything.

https://www.afpbb.com/articles/-/3202063

The funniest part is that this Ki Sung-Yueng’ excuse for his monkey performance in 2011 to ridicule Japanese soccer fans was proven to be a lie, furthermore, his honeymoon later was to Japan Onsen.

14 ( +22 / -8 )

I always loved that flag. Japan was a bit more Japanese back then, if you get my drift.

7 ( +19 / -12 )

In this case I can't side with people burning flags,this is one of the highest form of disrespect against another culture.

Besides,if Japan should completely abolish the rising sun flag then communist China and North Korea should abolish their flags,because millions of people died and got enslaved under such banners.

11 ( +19 / -8 )

That's too bad. In WWII 76 years ago there were no counseling services for returning veterans. Times have changed. Hate shouldn't be passed on from generation to generation.

7 ( +16 / -9 )

Forget the past and feelings of victimhood over events that happened before most of us were even born.. Japan, China, the Koreas and other Asian nations are filled with amazing people who can enjoy a bright future together with a little mutual respect and cooperation.

14 ( +19 / -5 )

CrickyToday  05:25 pm JST

My grandfather wouldn’t let a Japanese car on his property, I highly doubt that flag would give him warm feelings. But maybe his experience was exceptional. As medics are certainly to be feared In a POW camp.

British ex-POW in Japanese camp 'disgusted' by guard demands for compensation

Survivor of 'Death Railway' says Korean, Taiwanese guards were worst tormentors of Allied prisoners and 'should be whipped'

https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/worldnews/asia/japan/11220761/British-ex-POW-in-Japanese-camp-disgusted-by-guard-demands-for-compensation.html

10 ( +22 / -12 )

Can ANY of you answer this SIMPLE question: Is the topic here “Japan’s Flags” and what they *may** *represent, whether it be national pride, war, surrender, truce or diplomacy?

1 ( +4 / -3 )

My grandfather wouldn’t let a Japanese car on his property, I highly doubt that flag would give him warm feelings. But maybe his experience was exceptional. As medics are certainly to be feared In a POW camp.

-13 ( +15 / -28 )

Strictly speaking, South Korea is the only country protesting it. Ironically, it started in 2011 when a Korean football player took a racist pose against Japanese.

In AFC Asian Cup 2011, one stupid Korean mocked Japanese as monkey.

https://imgur.com/a/YgzqPA0

https://imgur.com/ZdqoQiB

When his racist sign was considered he insisted that there was the Japanese rising-sun flag in the stadium. However, nobody saw the flag, and nobody has concluded it was the symbol of aggression. It's just a traditional symbol from the ancient times. Suddenly, Koreans begun to tell a lie to the world that it was a symbol of the Japanese colonialism.

Until this, it was one of the popular fashion icons in Korea.

https://imgur.com/ZRrckt1

https://imgur.com/2opXzoR

https://imgur.com/qBf5X6r

Tadanori Yokoo Exhibition Seoul 2007

No one cares about the flag.

https://m.blog.naver.com/isoleile/80042791832

https://kaikai.ch/board/47011/

Ironically, the company flag of the Asahi Shimbun which is very tolerant of crazy Korean nationalism is the rising-sun flag. Korean government pours much national budget into anti-Japan propaganda and has agency and law for it.

They destroy Shinto shrine and temple and steal Buddha statues, cultural heritage and personal assets in Japan. The fingers of the Buddha statue returned from Korea were all broken.

After a big earthquake and tsunami in East Japan, Korean supporters showed a big flag "to celebrate Japanese tsunami damage" at stadium. The Asian Football Confederation remained silent about it.

https://imgur.com/DwAMalG

https://imgur.com/RRf3iHL

https://imgur.com/Y5do2yx

https://imgur.com/DNwwmB7

Korean build a huge glass building in the shape of tsunami behind Japanese Embassy and they love it. Korean government never give permission for move or rebuilding of deteriorated Japanese Embassy.

https://imgur.com/AVDagpt

Japanese doesn't have the idea of such a ridiculous lie and bullying. 

Koreans also loved Rising Sun Design before the stupid Korean football player’s racist sign. As you can see, most of the “history” claimed by Koreans has been created in the last 30 years. Can you understand how tedious we are each time they sue Japan with their lies?

And even if only racism against Japanese is legal for all White ignorant hypocrites around the world, we don't want to succumb to Korean lies and historical distortions. that’s all.

THE Greatest job ever. but do not expect too much from those who don't care whatever except spitting on Japan.

8 ( +24 / -16 )

Rising sun itself is a very common and free of domain design. It appears almost everywhere.

It's funny or sad to see radical anti-Japanese activists nitpick and attack whatever "looks like" rising sun. Examples of their random assaults include building truss structures, red-colored crab's legs, lunchbox arrangement, to name but a few. How pathetic. Better go see an eye doctor.

20 ( +32 / -12 )

CrickyToday  04:30 pm JST

But some in the Koreas, China and other Asian countries (I would add many western countries)

Nonsense. The countries and their militaries that have no issues at all with that flag include the United States, United Kingdom, Australia, Netherlands, Philippines, etc. Notice how these nations all fought against that flag in WWII? Many of these nations train side by side with this flag.

In contrast, Korea as part of the Japanese Empire since 1910 fought under that flag against the allles.

As for China, the Rep of China which actually fought Imperial Japan, now Taiwan, has no problem with it. But the Communist Chinese (PRC) who ousted the ROC to Taiwan in 1948 make an issue out of it.

The Kyokujitsuki is the naval ensign of the JMSDF and is not a political flag. It is not equivalent to the Nazi swastika, it is equivalent to the German Iron Cross which is in use by the German military today.

This is just another part of the anti-Japan agenda aimed at breaking the US-JPN Alliance.

15 ( +32 / -17 )

"But some in the Koreas, China and other Asian countries (I would add many western countries) say the flag is a reminder of Japan’s wartime atrocities, and is comparable to the Nazi swastika. Also the ISIS flag. All three have an appalling record of civilian massacres. And organised mistreatment of POWs."

Right.

Japan should drop this flag the same day the Stars and Stripes, the Union Jack L:e Tricolore, et al are banned.

Germany reinstated the "Nazy" anthem, )composed by that dastardly Joseph Haydn) but no one is complaining!

14 ( +31 / -17 )

But Bong Youngshik, a research fellow at Yonsei University Institute for North Korean Studies, says the flag wouldn’t have become a major issue if Japan had accepted its neighbors’ demands for making a more “sincere apology” over its wartime abuse.

How many more times do we have to hear this BS from a Korean nobody, you've had your apologies, you've had your compensation payments, now just please go away.

19 ( +33 / -14 )

The swastika was a fine symbol too before the nazis got a hold of it. In high school I brought up bringing back the swastika to reclaim its original symbolism and my Polish friend wasn’t having any of it. Those emotions just run too deep. I think many don’t understand (or just don’t care) that to many, that flag is the equivalent to the swastika in the East.

-17 ( +14 / -31 )

It’s a sign of their military aggression and of their failed military efforts

-18 ( +20 / -38 )

But some in the Koreas, China and other Asian countries (I would add many western countries) say the flag is a reminder of Japan’s wartime atrocities, and is comparable to the Nazi swastika. Also the ISIS flag. All three have an appalling record of civilian massacres. And organised mistreatment of POWs.

-22 ( +17 / -39 )

It's a horrible flag that very few Japanese people care about.

It isn't perfectly acceptable to fly.

-17 ( +24 / -41 )

When the Seoul Olympics were held, did Korea display Comfort Women statues around the stadiums?

-26 ( +13 / -39 )

It is the official flag of the Japanese Maritime Self Defense Force, AKA Japanese Navy. Has been forever. Perfectly legal and acceptable to fly. Yes - even at sports events.

Hard to understand why it triggers so many haters.

20 ( +40 / -20 )

Childish demands. Most of the countries shamed their flags a number of times during their history.

18 ( +33 / -15 )

It is a beautiful flag and I am proud to have family members fly under it in the maritime self defense forces.

13 ( +37 / -24 )

Some experts say the flag dispute isn’t as serious as other points of contention, like Japan’s wartime mobilization of Koreans into sexual slavery or forced labor, and won’t likely worsen ties.

I have issues with these so called experts and what the real truth is.

20 ( +32 / -12 )

Personally I really like that flag and I fly it on any occasion I choose to. South korean activists have a problem with everything and need to get over their inferiority complex and whinge mentality.

Dont like that flag , dont look, turn away , close your eyes, cover your eyes with your hands,

17 ( +41 / -24 )

Well, if China can use the claim that 500 year-old maps justify their unilateral occupation of the South China Seas, then Japan can use the same line about using the rising sun flag for 500 years.

Chn and SK will scratch and claw to find anything to upset them about Japan. Ignore them. Don't feed the trolls.

22 ( +41 / -19 )

We have to change our peace constitution and must have a strong military. Only military power can silence them. America is respected because the country has a strong military.

-14 ( +22 / -36 )

To the two Koreas and China, any small thing Japan does will anger them, that's a fact. You don't hear this from other Asian countries conquered by imperial Japan during the war. I was born and raised in one of those countries, and I can tell you that the rising sun flag is just seen as an average car sticker, and nothing less.

22 ( +43 / -21 )

Strictly speaking, South Korea is the only country protesting it. Ironically, it started in 2011 when a Korean football player took a racist pose against Japanese.

In AFC Asian Cup 2011, one stupid Korean mocked Japanese as monkey.

https://imgur.com/a/YgzqPA0

https://imgur.com/ZdqoQiB

When his racist sign was considered he insisted that there was the Japanese rising-sun flag in the stadium. However, nobody saw the flag, and nobody has concluded it was the symbol of aggression. It's just a traditional symbol from the ancient times. Suddenly, Koreans begun to tell a lie to the world that it was a symbol of the Japanese colonialism.

Until this, it was one of the popular fashion icons in Korea.

https://imgur.com/ZRrckt1

https://imgur.com/2opXzoR

https://imgur.com/qBf5X6r

Tadanori Yokoo Exhibition Seoul 2007

No one cares about the flag.

https://m.blog.naver.com/isoleile/80042791832

https://kaikai.ch/board/47011/

Ironically, the company flag of the Asahi Shimbun which is very tolerant of crazy Korean nationalism is the rising-sun flag. Korean government pours much national budget into anti-Japan propaganda and has agency and law for it.

They destroy Shinto shrine and temple and steal Buddha statues, cultural heritage and personal assets in Japan. The fingers of the Buddha statue returned from Korea were all broken.

After a big earthquake and tsunami in East Japan, Korean supporters showed a big flag "to celebrate Japanese tsunami damage" at stadium. The Asian Football Confederation remained silent about it.

https://imgur.com/DwAMalG

https://imgur.com/RRf3iHL

https://imgur.com/Y5do2yx

https://imgur.com/DNwwmB7

Korean build a huge glass building in the shape of tsunami behind Japanese Embassy and they love it. Korean government never give permission for move or rebuilding of deteriorated Japanese Embassy.

https://imgur.com/AVDagpt

Japanese doesn't have the idea of such a ridiculous lie and bullying. 

Koreans also loved Rising Sun Design before the stupid Korean football player’s racist sign. As you can see, most of the “history” claimed by Koreans has been created in the last 30 years. Can you understand how tedious we are each time they sue Japan with their lies?

And even if only racism against Japanese is legal for all White ignorant hypocrites around the world, we don't want to succumb to Korean lies and historical distortions. that’s all.

17 ( +40 / -23 )

The problem is that Japan's rabid ultranationalist right-wing uses the rising sun flag as if it were the national flag and the gone with the wind symbol of the imperial lost cause. Note the photograph above. The fellow has swaddled in the rising sun flag and he is not a sailor to be sure. This is but one example out of many.

-14 ( +26 / -40 )

Nobody wants that flag except ultra nationalists

-19 ( +30 / -49 )

It's not a good symbol considering what happened in China and other parts of Asia in 1930s and 1940s. A very dark historical past.

-14 ( +29 / -43 )

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