"The Rising Sun Flag" is not the same as the sun disc flag (hinomaru). It was used by the Japanese Navy and Army during Japan's invasion and occupation of Asia between 1895 and 1945, and is still used as the official naval flag of Japan, and the SDF. It is one of the most powerful symbols of the 20-30 million deaths that Japan caused around Asia during this period. In other words it is the equivalent of the "Nazi Swasitka Flag". However, it would be unthinkable for Germany to use the Nazi flag nowadays, even as a naval ensigna.

http://www.japanlinked.com/forum/images/oldflag.gif [/img]

Should Japan continue to use the Rising Sun flag without fearing to cause anger in other Asian countries ? Would a modern, civilised and humanitarian country use a flag that reminds of its own atrocities during WWII ?

Did you know? : The Swastika was actually an Anglo-Saxon symbol for the god Thor?

But, yeah, I really don't care what they do with it, it's white enough to be considered a flag of surrender from a distance. And isn't white the color of victory in asia? It was bad and all, what happened in WWII, but change a flag? Bah!

Well I am not one for Political Correctness..So I would have to say let it stay although I voted unsure, I htink I will let the politicion debate over the usless, non threating trivials in our lives . That way there will be less time for debate on real issues...Like making Japan a country of its own instead of military base for america!

Good Luck! Japan and America's economy-military entwinement is so tight both sides are afraid to do anything to pull out; it could shatter and both countries will fall to pieces. I will say this much, though: The various crimes committed by U.S. soldiers in Japan is deplorable, but that's why martial law is so much more strict in America. That is also why we don't extradite our boys to Japanese authorities; we ourselves punish them.

Although I really do like how it looks, I can see how it'd be pretty offensive so I voted "unsure"


Did you know? : The Swastika was actually an Anglo-Saxon symbol for the god Thor?

And since even before that it's been considered a holy symbol in Hinduism =B

Flags can be very powerful symbols. An analog we have here in the States is the Confederate flag. While the flag that most people think of was not the official flag of the Confederacy (it was the battle flag, the official flag was the "Stars and Bars", 13 stars and 3 horizontal red and white bars), its historical use by racist groups and the separatist and pro-slavery cause it originally flew for has irrecoverably stained its history. While many would like to use it as a symbol of regional pride (much as Texans like to fly the Lone Star flag), it is impossible for most to separate it from its racist history.

As proud as the Japanese can be, I can understand their reluctance to do away with a flag that flew over so many successes. But I think if they ever want to be a leading force in the Pacific Rim again, and not just a US client state, they'll have to bow to their neighbors' perceptions and change it.