rising sun flag

The flag of the former Imperial Japanese Army and Navy and the current naval ensign of Japan, still used in the Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force. It has a red sun with sixteen rays on a white field, with the sun being off-center to the left in the naval ensign version.

Mostly confused as the Empire of Japan's state flag during the Meiji era until the end of World War II (Empire of Japan at the time used the same flag as today's Japan). Commonly viewed in other Asian countries (especially China and Korea) as a symbol of Japanese aggression and colonialism.

Many Japanese, however, disagree with this view, as aside from military and political context, the Rising Sun flag and symbol has long been used represent the nation as well being symbol of good luck for almost a millenium.

Examples

Current flag of the Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force

See also

• Japanese flag

The following tags are aliased to this tag: rising_sun (learn more).

This tag implicates sunburst (learn more).