"Rising Sun Flag cheering revives war fears among Asians": Kyoungduk Seo reports Japan to OCA

[Financial News] The Rising Sun Flag, a symbol of Japanese militarism, appeared at the 2026 Aichi-Nagoya Asian Games, sparking controversy. Kyoungduk Seo, a professor at Sungshin Women's University, said he had sent a protest email to the Olympic Council of Asia (OCA).
On the 6th, Kyoungduk Seo said, "Controversy erupted on the 3rd when Japanese spectators cheered with the Rising Sun Flag during the final of the judo mixed team event between Japan and Kazakhstan at the 2026 Aichi-Nagoya Asian Games."
Earlier on the 3rd, during the final of the judo mixed team event between Japan and Kazakhstan at Aichi International Arena in Nagoya, some Japanese spectators unfurled the Rising Sun Flag and cheered for Japan's national team.
The Rising Sun Flag is a symbol of Japanese militarism and wartime aggression. It left deep scars on South Korea, China and other Asian countries that experienced imperialist invasion. Major international sporting events, including the Olympics, the World Cup and the Asian Games, restrict and control the entry of items bearing related phrases or symbols to prevent political interference.
Kyoungduk Seo said, "A judo official who spotted it at the venue reportedly asked the organizing committee to take action, but no meaningful sanction was imposed," and criticized the decision, adding, "Because the Asian Games organizing committee had publicly stated that cheering with the Rising Sun Flag would be allowed."
The organizing committee had posted a notice on the 26th of last month, ahead of a baseball game between Japan and Taiwan at Okazaki Central Park Baseball Stadium in Aichi Prefecture, saying that the Rising Sun Flag and Taiwan's flag could not be brought into the venue. The notice was removed the following day. On the 28th, the committee apologized, saying, "Of course, the Rising Sun Flag is not subject to an entry ban," and acknowledged that posting the notice had been inappropriate.
At the time, Kyoungduk Seo criticized the committee, saying, "The organizing committee is catering only to domestic public opinion while ignoring the unity and peace of Asians through sports," and added, "The apology was a ploy by the organizing committee to quiet public opinion at home."
After receiving reports from internet users, Kyoungduk Seo filed a complaint with the Olympic Council of Asia by email.
The email reportedly included a video about the history of the Rising Sun Flag and stated, "The Rising Sun Flag was a banner Japan displayed at the forefront when it invaded Asian countries, including during the Pacific War, and it symbolizes militarism and imperialism."
Kyoungduk Seo criticized the practice, saying, "Cheering while holding the Rising Sun Flag is an act that reminds Asians once again of the fear of war," and added, "It is clearly wrong for the Asian Games organizing committee to allow the Rising Sun Flag into the venue out of concern for its own citizens."
He continued, "The organizing committee, which promised to host an event for unity and peace among Asians, must issue an official apology," emphasizing, "Now it is the OCA's turn to act."
He added, "I hope the OCA will continue to pay close attention so that cheering with the Rising Sun Flag never appears again at future Asian Games."
Meanwhile, controversy over the use of the Rising Sun Flag at international sporting events continues.
During a group-stage match between Japan and Tunisia at the 2026 FIFA World Cup, held at Monterrey Stadium in Mexico on June 21, Japanese supporters unfurled the Rising Sun Flag, which was captured on the broadcast. Earlier, the flag had also sparked controversy when it was used during street cheering in Japan for one of the country's first-round qualifying matches.
[email protected] Kim Su-yeon Reporter