WHAT THE FLAG IS THAT

In late September 2019, An Min-suk (a lawmaker from South Korea) and the vast majority of the Japanese National Assembly (196-3) agreed that the "Rising Sun" flag that Japan used during the Edo and Meiji periods. What does this tell us about the two countries' perceptions of this centuries-old design?

At first, there appears to be a consensus that, due to its connections with Japan's brutal military past, the flag should not be used. This is especially true at peaceful international events, such as the upcoming 2020 Olympics. However, right-wing Japanese groups and military organizations like the Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force continue to wave it proudly. Opposition to this flag-waving intensified from South Korea starting in 2012, where it is called a "war criminal flag".

What does this tell us about the flag's meaning? Well, at the National Assembly, An Min-suk equated it to the swastika of Nazi Germany, since both were used by Axis Powers during World War II. The thought being, since both flags are so closely associated with the atrocities committed during that time period, they should both remain relics of history books: not celebrations.

However, based on its other uses, I personally see the Rising Sun flag as on par with a different symbol: the American Confederate flag. The world universally denounces use of the Nazi swastika, even Germany itself, so there isn't a debate over whether its presentation is an act of pride or aggression. However, just like the Confederate flag, the Rising Sun still makes its appearance in government organizations, and right-wing people still wave it when they're feeling patriotic: even though it's not an official symbol for any country. Both flags exist in a gray area between hate symbol and national monument. You'll see both in everyday society, like at sports games or on bumper stickers on the backs of cars. But you'd rarely see them used in a peaceful international setting, like a diplomatic meeting or Olympics. In such a situation, the eyes of the people pillaged in the name of that flag (South Koreans or former slaves) are watching. We need to be diplomatic with all.

So, given that the Confederate flag has remained for 150 years after the Civil War, and the Rising Sun has remained for 75 years after WWII, we likely won't see the Rising Sun go away any time soon. It will continue to straddle the line between acceptable and unacceptable, politicians will continue to campaign for or against it, for decades to come.

Therefore, the remnants of a war really never go away. The "losers" never really lose - you can always find people proud of that flag that has since been denounced! The past never really becomes the past, it just evolves into the present.