A growing number of Japanese academics are showing disdain for their flag and refuse to stand and face it. They believe that flag stands for imperialism and needs to be changed, but conservative Japanese have made it mandatory for all students and teachers to sing the national anthem when the flag is displayed.

In Tokyo, the only municipality to have meted out broad punishments, the authorities were hoping to use the capital's influence to make respect for the flag and anthem compulsory nationwide. While newspaper polls show voters here opposing such a movement, voters have still remained firmly behind its leader, Shintaro Ishihara, the rightist governor of Tokyo.

The movement suffered a setback recently, from an unexpected corner: Emperor Akihito, who stated his opposition to the regulation. The Imperial Household Agency, some politicians and newspapers played down the comment by the emperor, who, according to the Constitution, is forbidden from interfering in political matters. But others saw in his rare political utterance a sign that he was worried about Japan's direction.

After Japan's defeat in World War II, the rising-sun flag was banned for more than three years under the American occupation. Asian neighbors remain suspicious of Japanese nationalism and of the country's new assertiveness overseas, including sending 550 troops to Iraq. The young in Seoul or Shanghai may consume Pokémon or other symbols of the new Japan. But since they are thoroughly taught about the brutalities of Japanese colonialism, unlike their Japanese counterparts, their often visceral reactions to symbols of the old Japan lie near the surface.

Japan has recently made the flag and anthem legal national symbols. But a martial arts teacher makes a very important point that needs to be considered in a culture that stressed form:

"Patriotic feelings can't grow by force.

Idjit

HOPEFUL

I'm lost

DEC 16, 2004 08:24 AM

"Thanks for the toilet paper, your flag's meaningless to me. Look around, we're all people - who needs countries, anyway?"

ClockworkJim

Levittown, NY

February 2004

DEC 16, 2004 09:15 AM

To the people of Asia, the rising sun holds the same meaning as the swastika does to us.

[Edited on Dec 16, 2004 12:16PM]

ClockworkJim

Levittown, NY

February 2004

DEC 16, 2004 09:15 AM

double post

[Edited on Dec 16, 2004 12:15PM]

Dr_Zoidberg

Raymore, MO

June 2004

DEC 16, 2004 09:21 AM

AclockworkJim said:
To the people of Asia, the rising sun holds the same meaning as the swastika does to us.

Yes. The SAME meaning.

cipher

Saint Paul, MN

July 2004

DEC 16, 2004 03:25 PM

"Patriotic feelings can't grow by force.

That makes me feel all warm and barbed-wirey inside. Just a few hours ago I read an editorial discussing Russia's move towards a fascist government...the article went from being critical and sane to...well, insane when it said that fascism was better than communism, apparently for economic reasons. Gotta love the press...we can rationalize anything if it moves the GDP up.

Wow, I'm ranting...I'm sorry.

Lemonkid

Canada

May 2003

DEC 16, 2004 03:36 PM

euphplayer said:

AclockworkJim said:
To the people of Asia, the rising sun holds the same meaning as the swastika does to us.

Yes. The SAME meaning.

Actually my ex-girlfriend who's Taiwanese told me the exact same thing when we were discussing this issue.

doghouse_reilly

I'm lost

February 2004

DEC 16, 2004 03:50 PM

Flags are nothing more than glorified gang signs. Fuck flags.

"Hey buddy... my daddy died for that flag."

"Well, I bought mine. Sorry. You know they sell them at K-Mart for three bucks, you're in, you're out, brand new flag, no violence was necessary."

"Hey, buddy... my daddy died in Korea for that flag."

"What a coincidence, my flag was made in Korea!"

Happy birthday Bill.

cipher

Saint Paul, MN

July 2004

DEC 16, 2004 04:10 PM

Happy birthday Bill.

Really? Jesus. I was just listening to his records last night.
Fuck but we need that man right now.

Lit_the_Filter

Tacoma, WA

August 2004

DEC 16, 2004 04:12 PM

Doghouse_Reilly said:
Flags are nothing more than glorified gang signs. Fuck flags.

"Hey buddy... my daddy died for that flag."

"Well, I bought mine. Sorry. You know they sell them at K-Mart for three bucks, you're in, you're out, brand new flag, no violence was necessary."

"Hey, buddy... my daddy died in Korea for that flag."

"What a coincidence, my flag was made in Korea!"

Happy birthday Bill.

"In fact, thats how we could stop patriotism, I think. Instead of putting stars and stripes on our flag, we should put pictures of our parents fucking. Gather round that flag and see your dad hunched over your moms four-by-four butt. See if any boot rally mentality can circle round that fucking image. Goddamn, Im out of here! Fuck itLets go garden."

Stiles

Miami Beach, FL

November 2002

DEC 16, 2004 08:01 PM

euphplayer said:

AclockworkJim said:
To the people of Asia, the rising sun holds the same meaning as the swastika does to us.

Yes. The SAME meaning.

Before you brush off the comparison, read up on the rape of Nanking, among many, many other atrocities suffered by others under Japanese occupation.

BOARDS:

TOPICS:

Portland, OR

November 2002

DEC 15, 2004 10:42 PM

Idjit

HOPEFUL

I'm lost

DEC 16, 2004 08:24 AM

Levittown, NY

February 2004

DEC 16, 2004 09:15 AM

Levittown, NY

February 2004

DEC 16, 2004 09:15 AM

Raymore, MO

June 2004

DEC 16, 2004 09:21 AM

Saint Paul, MN

July 2004

DEC 16, 2004 03:25 PM

Canada

May 2003

DEC 16, 2004 03:36 PM

doghouse_reilly

I'm lost

February 2004

DEC 16, 2004 03:50 PM

Saint Paul, MN

July 2004

DEC 16, 2004 04:10 PM

Tacoma, WA

August 2004

DEC 16, 2004 04:12 PM

Miami Beach, FL

November 2002

DEC 16, 2004 08:01 PM