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. As it was heavily used during the occupation and colonization of East Asia in the first-half of the 20th century, the flag is seen as offensive to countries which were under control of Japan at that time, especially because of the war crimes perpetrated by the Japanese military. 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.

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 East Asian countries, specifically in China and the Koreas, as it is considered to be associated with Japanese militarism and Japanese imperialism before and during World War II. It is sometimes seen at sporting events and protests by extreme right-wing groups.

Examples of the Rising Sun flag in use

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  Satsuma Rebellion: Battle of Shiroyama 1877. (1880 painting)

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  Flag of the Asahi Shinbun Company.

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  Emperor Hirohito flying the flag in 1902.

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  IJA troops in Manchuria, 1931.

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  Crew members aboard Shokaku launching the attack on Pearl Harbor with the naval flag above, 1941.

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  JGSDF troops, April 2007.

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  JMSDF crew members aboard JDS Kongo (DDG 173) with the naval flag on top of the ship, October 2007.

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  A truck of a Japanese right-wing group near Yasukuni shrine.

See also

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