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Naval ensign, flown by ships of the Imperial Japanese Navy (1889–1947) and Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force (1954–present). Flag ratio: 2:3
The Rising Sun Flag (旭日旗 Kyokujitsu-ki?) is the military flag of Japan. It had been used as the ensign of the Imperial Japanese Navy and the war flag of the Imperial Japanese Army until the end of World War II. It is also presently the ensign of the Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force and the war flag of the Japan Ground Self-Defense Force.
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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 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, the flag was banned by Allied Occupation authorities. 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.
This flag is often considered offensive in countries which were victims of Japanese aggression, particularly China and Korea, where it is considered as a symbol of Japanese imperialism.
Gallery
 Crew members aboard Shokaku launching the attack on Pearl Harbor with the naval flag above. |
 Postcard depicting Prince Higashifushimi Yorihito with ships with naval flag. |
 IJA soldiers during the 1938 battle of Wuhan. |
 JMSDF crew men aboard JDS Kongo (DDG 173) with the naval flag on top of the ship. |
See also
External links
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Wikipedia content modification information:
- This page was last modified on 20 November 2008, at 00:16.
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