Recently, one picture has been a big issue. In that picture, some university students saluted with a Nazi straight-arm salute and used the image of the Rising Sun Flag (RSF) in the background. After that, so strong was the criticism that they issued an apology, and both the president and vice president of that department’s student council resigned. Likewise, controversy about the RSF has consistently occurred in Korea.
   The RSF was used as a war flag until the end of World War II. The RSF has a red circle close to the middle and red sun rays around the circle. This design represents the Imperialism of Japan. Due to that, it has been considered offensive in some countries, especially in China and Korea, which were victims of Japanese aggression.
   The sensitive reaction of East Asian countries about the flag is similar to that of some European countries reaction to the Nazi flag, which was used during the Nazi regime in Germany. After being defeated, Germany was forbidden to use it by law. Equally, Japan was defeated in August 1945 in World War II, and the RSF fell into disuse. However, with the re-establishment of a Self-Defense Force, the RSF was readopted in 1954. Because of that, Japanese people are apt to perceive the RSF as something natural. The RSF appears on lots of Japanese commercial product labels.
   What makes matters worse is that the RSF has been frequently used in other Western countries. For example, recently, it was controversial that New York used the image of the RSF on its website. This is because there are no international laws about prohibiting the use of the war flag. Furthermore, for other countries except East Asian countries, because of the RSF’s design, they just see the RSF as a fashion image used for emphasizing something. Considering all the things we discussed above, Global View interviewed different opinions on the RSF.

By Lee  Su-ji | sj34@cbnu.ac.kr

 

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What do you think about the Rising Sun flag?

 

Do you know the RSF called uk il-ki in Korea?

   Wang Won-myeong (China): I knew that. After the 2012 Olympics in London, the uniform which was designed with the RSF was controversial, so it was also shown on the news. I didn’t know about it until that. It was new for me, because I had never learned the meaning of the RSF.
   Brian (America): Yes, I know it, and I got to know about it from TV and movies. Although its name is unfamiliar for others, I think it is easy to find that image. I can match the name and the image after I read an article.
   Sandy (Canada): I sometimes saw it on a bag, clothes etc. But I didn’t know its name. My friend also has a bag with the RSF. His sister bought it in Japan.

 

What do you think is the reason why the RSF is frequently used?

   Wang Won-myeong (China): The sign of pride of starting World War II. I think self-confidence is a suitable expression. Japan just seems to want to show they are the best.
   Brian (America): I don't know it exactly, but its color and shape are great. It has bad meaning but good color and shape which makes people keep using it.
   Sandy (Canada): Japan just wants to say that they are still stronger than Korea maybe.

 

What do you think about the design of the RSF being incorporated into fashion items by reason of freedom of expression?
   Wang Won-myeong (China): I really hate it. It is bad behavior to use the flag which was used in the war. And thinking about their unethical acts committed at that time, it was really horrible.
   Brian (America): I have no idea. Surely Koreans are sensitive to this problem, but it is not that serious in other countries. Maybe I think other foreigners have the same idea as me.
   Sandy (Canada): Actually, I don't know about those flags well, but my Korean friend said it is bad, and the government does not take any action about it. One thing I can't understand is why the government is so quiet in that matter.