Rising Sun Flag

Naval ensign, flown by ships of the Imperial Japanese Navy (1889–1947) and Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force. (1954–present) Flag ratio: 2:3

War flag of the Imperial Japanese Army. (1870–1945)

The flag of Japan Ground Self-Defense Force.

The Rising Sun Flag (旭日旗, Kyokujitsu-ki) is the military flag of Japan. It was used as the war flag of the Imperial Japanese Army and the ensign of the Imperial Japanese Navy until the end of World War II. The naval ensign and a modified version of the war flag continue to be in use by the Japanese Self-Defense Force, the design is also incorporated into many commercial products and advertisements. However, as the flag was used by the Japanese in the conquest and the occupation of East Asia, it is seen as offensive in countries where it is considered to be associated with Japanese militarism and imperialism.

Design

The design is similar to the flag of Japan in that it has a red circle close to the middle signifying the sun, the difference being the addition of extra sun rays (16 for the ensign) exemplifying the name of Japan as "The Land of the Rising Sun". The Imperial Japanese Army first adopted the Rising Sun Flag in 1870. The Imperial Japanese Army and the Imperial Japanese Navy both had a version of the flag; the naval ensign was off-set, with the red sun closer to the lanyard side, while the army's version (which was part of the regimental colors) was centered. It was adopted in 1889. The flag was used in overseas actions from the Meiji period to World War II. When Japan was defeated in August 1945 and the Imperial Army and Navy were dissolved, the flag fell into disuse. However with the re-establishment of a Self-Defense Force the flag was re-adopted in 1954. The flag with 16 rays is today the ensign of the Maritime Self-Defense Force while the Ground Self-Defense Force uses an 8-ray version.

Present-day perception

This flag is considered offensive in countries which were victims of Japanese aggression, specifically in China and the Koreas, where it is considered to be associated with Japanese militarism and imperialism. During the 2008 Beijing Olympics, Japanese fans were warned not to fly the flag as it would cause offense and trouble with the Chinese. In Japan itself the flag is sometimes seen at sporting events and protests by extreme right-wing groups. The Rising Sun flag also appears on commercial product labels, such as on the cans of one variety of Asahi Breweries lager beer. The design is also incorporated into the flag of the Japanese newspaper Asahi Shimbun as well as banners called Tairyō-ki (大漁旗, Good Catch Flag) flown by fishermen.

Examples of the Rising Sun flag in use

• 
  Satsuma Rebellion: Battle of Shiroyama 1877. (1880 painting)
• 
  Flag of the Asahi Shinbun Company.
• 
  Emperor Hirohito flying the flag in 1902.
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  IJA troops in Manchuria, 1931.
• Crew members aboard Shokaku launching the attack on Pearl Harbor with the naval ensign above, 1941.
  Crew members aboard Shokaku launching the attack on Pearl Harbor with the naval ensign above, 1941.
• 
  JGSDF troops, April 2007.
• 
  JMSDF crew members aboard JDS Kongo (DDG 173) with the naval ensign on top of the ship, October 2007.
• 
  A truck of a Japanese right-wing group near Yasukuni shrine.
• 
  Album cover of Hot Tuna's Live in Japan

See also

• List of Japanese flags
• List of Japanese municipal flags
• Imperial Seal of Japan
• Japanese nationalism