Existing_Display1794 t1_jeey7gj wrote
Why are they flying the Japanese imperial army flag!?
Successful_Ad_6248 t1_jef0mh5 wrote
Because it is actually still the Japanese Navy flag. Do I think they should change it? Definite yes.
bombadodierbloggins t1_jef4c2t wrote
In China and many other Asian countries, that flag is still seen in the same way as how the West views the Nazi swastika flag.
CGordini t1_jef85kk wrote
As well it should be.
Namn_Namnsson t1_jefsr95 wrote
Some symbols used by the nazis is still used by the German army too. And they were used before the nazis as well. I guess the same goes with imperial flag
ChristopherGard0cki t1_jegcr8l wrote
But germany had a more clear distinction between the traditional German armed forces (which were still guilty of plenty of war crimes) and the Nazi party and their military organizations (the SS and the SA). Nothing to do with the SS and the SA survived.
In Japan there was no equivalent political movement that swept into power and perverted the national psyche. It was the traditional institutions that led the charge.
Existing_Display1794 t1_jeftidk wrote
Yeah. They were terrible and killed more people than the Nazi’s.
[deleted] t1_jefy97c wrote
[removed]
Vuj219 t1_jefruj6 wrote
And it wasn't the imperial flag in the first place, Japan used the same flag as today even during the second world war.
Mynameisblorm t1_jeg5au9 wrote
This is about right. I think the key difference is that the Nazi flag was the flag of an explicit political party, whereas Japan has been using the same national flag since the Meji era, and the rising sun motif has been on flags, in art and on clothing in Japan since the 1600s at the earliest.
In a similar vein to another poster, Germany still has eagles for national motifs and paints Iron Crosses on their planes and tanks, as they've been a part of German martial culture since long before the Nazis came about.
ChristopherGard0cki t1_jegcyih wrote
Sure, but if the iron cross was on the flag that was draped over half of europe then I can promise you germany wouldn’t still be using it.
Mynameisblorm t1_jegkatg wrote
The iron cross killed millions of people in the First World War and a slightly different looking version of it killed millions more in the second, I'm not sure where the angst about a centuries old motif comes from with the rising sun.
Before the current state of heightened tensions I recall that China had absolutely no problem with inviting Japanese ships to port calls and naval reviews in China, and allowing them to fly their naval ensign. If it was really as big an issue as reddit seems to make it out to be, I'd think it would spark more outcry at the national level.
ChristopherGard0cki t1_jegnmie wrote
You’re really bringing up WW1? Because the Allied militaries also killed millions and they all still use lots of the same symbolism. Terrible example.
And there’s a huge difference between China “allowing” Japan to fly the flag (as if there’s anything they can do to stop it) and china (or Korea) being happy about it.
Mynameisblorm t1_jegpfio wrote
I am bringing up World War One, yes, because the point was made as if the iron cross is somehow more benign than the rising sun.
The Japan of WW1 used the exact same flag and symbols while fighting for the allies as it did in the second war and continues to use today, while again being aligned with those same allies who are still using their symbols. They are enduring symbols of their nation, and I imagine it simply doesn't strike the Japanese as a necessity to change them out of remorse for an imperial past, any more than the British would consider dropping the union jack or America the stars and stripes.
To your second point, there is absolutely something China could do about it, as evidenced by Korea a few years back requesting that Japan not fly the naval ensign on their ships during a naval review, and Japan withdrawing from the review. The issue over the flag seems to be a uniquely Korean point of contention given that Japanese ships regularly call on ports throughout their former victims in the Pacific without issue, but if countries feel strongly about it the precedent is there refuse entry to Japanese ships bearing the flag.
ChristopherGard0cki t1_jegquww wrote
What a load of bullshit. Stop defending the use of a flag that represented the brutal conquest of the entire western pacific.
Successful_Ad_6248 t1_jegg93l wrote
Exactly. Not a good look to use the rising sun flag.
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