Editing Flag of Japan (section)

==History==
===Ancient to medieval===
[[File:Atakebune3.jpg|thumb|The fleet of [[Kuki Yoshitaka]] in 1593]]
[[File:Shogunate Fleet View of Edo c1634.png|thumb|Shogunate fleet with hinomaru, {{Circa|1634}}]]
[[File:Asahi Maru warship 1856.png|thumb|[[Tokugawa shogunate]] warship {{ship|Japanese warship|Asahi Maru||2}} in 1856]]
[[File:Utagawa-Hiroshige-III-Progression-During-the-Imperial-Inspection-at-Ou-Matsushima-1876.png|thumb|Progression During the Imperial Inspection at Ou, Matsushima. Ukiyo-e by [[Hiroshige III]] (1876)]]
[[File:Flag of Japan (1870–1999).svg|thumb|{{FIAV|historical}}Flag of Japan (1868–1999)]]

The exact origin of the {{transliteration|ja|Hinomaru}} is unknown,<ref name="webjapanen">{{vcite web |url=http://web-japan.org/factsheet/en/pdf/11NFlagAnthem.pdf |title=National Flag and Anthem |home=Web Japan |publisher=Japanese Ministry of Foreign Affairs |year=2000 |access-date=11 December 2009 |format=PDF |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100615104013/http://web-japan.org/factsheet/en/pdf/11NFlagAnthem.pdf |archive-date=15 June 2010 }}</ref> but the rising sun has carried symbolic meaning since the early 7th century. Japan is often referred to as "the land of the rising sun".<ref>{{Harvnb|Edgington|2003|pp=123–124}}</ref> The Japanese archipelago is east of the Asian mainland, and is thus where the sun "rises". In 607, an official correspondence that began with "from the Emperor of the rising sun" was sent to the Chinese [[Emperor Yang of Sui]].<ref>{{Harvnb|Dyer|1909|p=24}}</ref>

The sun is closely related to the [[Imperial House of Japan|Imperial family]], as legend states the imperial throne was descended from the sun goddess [[Amaterasu]].<ref>{{harvnb|Ashkenazi|2003|pp=112–113}}</ref><ref>{{harvnb|Hall|1996|p=110}}</ref> The religion, which is categorized as the ancient [[Ko-Shintō]] religion of the [[Japanese people]], includes [[nature worship]] and [[animism]], and the [[faith]] has been worshiping the [[sun]], especially in [[agriculture]] and [[fishing]]. The Imperial God, [[Amaterasu|Amaterasu-ōmikami]], is the sun goddess. From the [[Yayoi period]] (300 BCE) to the [[Kofun period]] (250 CE) ([[Yamato period]]), the {{ill|Naikō Kamonkyō|ja|内行花文鏡|}}, a large bronze mirror with patterns like a flower-petal, was used as a celebration of the shape of the shining sun and there is a theory that one of the [[Imperial Regalia of Japan|Three Sacred Treasures]], [[Yata no Kagami]], is used like this mirror.<ref>森浩一著「日本神話の考古学」（朝日新聞出版 1993年7月）</ref>

During the [[Jimmu's Eastern Expedition|Eastern expedition]], [[Emperor Jimmu]]'s brother Itsuse no Mikoto was killed in a battle against the local chieftain Nagasunehiko ("the long-legged man") in Naniwa (modern-day Osaka). [[Emperor Jimmu]] realized, as a descendant of the sun, that he did not want to fight towards the sun (to the east), but to fight from the sun (to the west). The Emperor's clan therefore went to the east side of [[Kii Peninsula]] to battle westward. They reached [[Kumano, Mie|Kumano]] (or [[Ise, Mie|Ise]]) and went towards Yamato. They were victorious at the second battle with Nagasunehiko and conquered the [[Kinki region]].<ref>「日本古典文学大系 2 風土記」（岩波書店 1958年4月）の伊勢国風土記逸文に、神武天皇が[[伊勢国造]]の祖の天日別命に命じて[[伊勢国]]に攻め込ませ、国津神の[[伊勢津彦]]を追い出して伊勢を平定したとある。</ref><ref>熊野からでは北に向かって戦う事になる。このため[[鈴木眞年]]のように、伊勢まで行って西から[[奈良盆地|大和盆地]]に侵攻したとする説もある。</ref>

The use of the sun-shaped flag was thought to have taken place since the emperor's direct imperial rule ({{lang|ja|親政}}) was established after the [[Isshi Incident]] in 645 (first year of the [[Taika (era)|Taika]]).<ref>泉欣七郎、千田健共編『日本なんでもはじめ』ナンバーワン、1985年、149頁、{{ISBN|978-4-931016-06-4}}</ref>

The Japanese history text {{transliteration|ja|[[Shoku Nihongi]]}}, completed in 797, has the first recorded use of the sun-motif flag by [[Emperor Monmu]]'s {{nihongo3|'new year's greetings ceremony'|朝賀|Chōga}} in 701 (the first year of the [[Taihō (era)|Taihō era]]).<ref name="toyokeizai">{{cite web |url=https://toyokeizai.net/articles/-/97892?page=2 |title=｢国旗｣の真実をどれだけ知っていますか |date=23 December 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160204191818/https://toyokeizai.net/articles/-/97892?page=2 |archive-date=4 February 2016}}</ref><ref name="UdC" /> For the decoration of the ceremony hall on New Year's Day the {{nihongo3|'the flag with the golden sun'|日像|Nissho}} was raised.<ref name="toyokeizai" /><ref name="UdC">{{cite web |title=Shoku Nihongi |url=https://jhti.berkeley.edu/Shoku%20Nihongi.html |website=[[University of California, Berkeley]] (see original Japanese text) |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210204020804/https://jhti.berkeley.edu/Shoku%20Nihongi.html |archive-date=4 February 2021}}</ref>

One prominent theory is influenced by the results of the [[Genpei War]] (1180–1185).<ref name="nishi" /> Until the [[Heian period]], the {{nihongo|Nishiki flag|錦の御旗|Nishiki no mihata}}, a symbol of the Imperial Court, had a golden sun circle and a silver moon circle on a red background.<ref name="nishi" /> At the end of the Heian era, the [[Taira clan]] called themselves a government army and used the red flag with a {{nihongo|gold circle|赤地金丸}} as per the Imperial Court.<ref name="nishi" /> The Genji ([[Minamoto clan]]) were in opposition so they used a white flag with a {{nihongo|red circle|白地赤丸}} when they fought the Genpei War (1180–1185).<ref name="nishi" /> When the Taira clan was defeated, the {{nihongo|samurai government|幕府|[[bakufu]]}} was formed by the Genji.<ref name="nishi" /> The warlords who came after such as [[Oda Nobunaga]] and [[Tokugawa Ieyasu]] realized they were successors of Genji, and so raised the {{transliteration|ja|Hinomaru}} flag in battle.<ref name="nishi">{{cite web |script-title=ja:国旗「日の丸」のルーツは「種子島家の船贈」 |website=Nishinomote City |url=http://www.city.nishinoomote.lg.jp/material/files/group/44/hinomaruha.PDF |date= 28 January 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210728081345/http://www.city.nishinoomote.lg.jp/material/files/group/44/hinomaruha.PDF |archive-date=28 July 2021}}</ref>

In the 12th-century work ''[[The Tale of the Heike]]'', it was written that different [[samurai]] carried drawings of the sun on their fans.<ref name="Itoh 205">{{Harvnb|Itoh|2003|p=205}}</ref> One legend related to the national flag is attributed to the [[Buddhism|Buddhist]] priest [[Nichiren]]. Supposedly, during a 13th-century [[Mongolia]]n invasion of Japan, Nichiren gave a sun banner to the {{transliteration|ja|[[shōgun]]}} to carry into battle.<ref>{{Harvnb|Feldman|2004|pp=151–155}}</ref>

During the [[Battle of Nagashino]] (28 June 1575), Oda Nobunaga and Tokugawa Ieyasu's allied forces fought [[Takeda Katsuyori]].<ref name="nishi" /> Both Nobunaga and Ieyasu had their own flags with family crests, but they also held the {{transliteration|ja|Hinomaru}}.<ref name="nishi" /> On the other hand, the Takeda clan side also raised the {{transliteration|ja|Hinomaru}}.<ref name="nishi" /> Therefore, the {{transliteration|ja|Hinomaru}} was used as a national symbol.<ref name="nishi" />

One of Japan's oldest flags is housed at the Unpo-ji temple in [[Kōshū, Yamanashi|Kōshū]] city, [[Yamanashi Prefecture]].<ref name="nishi" /> Legend states it was given by [[Emperor Go-Reizei]] to [[Minamoto no Yoshimitsu]] and has been treated as a family treasure by the [[Takeda clan]] for the past 1,000 years,<ref name="nishi" /><ref name="japantimes">{{vcite news |author=Hongo, Jun |title=Hinomaru, 'Kimigayo' express conflicts both past and future |date=17 July 2007 |url=http://search.japantimes.co.jp/cgi-bin/nn20070717i1.html |work=[[The Japan Times]] |access-date=11 January 2008 |archive-url=https://archive.today/20120718030711/http://www.japantimes.co.jp/text/nn20070717i1.html%23.UAYoUKgo9Rw |archive-date=18 July 2012 }}</ref> and is at least older than 16th century.

In the 16th century [[Azuchi–Momoyama period|unification period]], each {{transliteration|ja|[[daimyō]]}} had flags that were used primarily in battle. Most of the flags were long banners usually charged with the {{transliteration|ja|[[mon (badge)|mon]]}} (family crest) of the {{transliteration|ja|daimyō}} lord. Members of the same family would have had different flags to carry into battle. The flags served as identification and were displayed by soldiers on their backs and horses. Generals also had their own flags, most of which differed from soldiers' flags due to their square shape.<ref>{{Harvnb|Turnbull|2001}}</ref>{{page needed|date=February 2021}}

In 1854, during the [[Tokugawa shogunate]], Japanese ships were ordered to hoist the {{transliteration|ja|Hinomaru}} to distinguish themselves from foreign ships.<ref name="Itoh 205" /> Before then, different types of {{transliteration|ja|Hinomaru}} flags were used on vessels that were trading with the U.S. and Russia.<ref name="webjapanen" /> The {{transliteration|ja|Hinomaru}} was decreed the merchant flag of Japan in 1870 and was the legal national flag from 1870 to 1885, making it the first national flag Japan adopted.<ref>{{harvnb|Goodman, Neary|1996|pp=77–78}}</ref><ref>{{vcite web |url=http://crd.ndl.go.jp/GENERAL/servlet/detail.reference?id=1000057111 |title=レファレンス事例詳細 |trans_title=Reference Case Details |access-date=20 November 2009 |date=2 July 2009 |publisher=National Diet Library |language=Japanese |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110720131906/http://crd.ndl.go.jp/GENERAL/servlet/detail.reference?id=1000057111 |archive-date=20 July 2011 }}</ref>

While the idea of national symbols was strange to the Japanese, the Meiji Government needed them to communicate with the outside world. This became especially important after the landing of U.S. Commodore [[Matthew C. Perry|Matthew Perry]] in Yokohama Bay.<ref>{{Harvnb|Feiler|2004|p=214}}</ref> Further Meiji Government implementations gave more identifications to Japan, including the anthem {{transliteration|ja|Kimigayo}} and the imperial seal.<ref name="Ohnuki-Tierney 68–69">{{Harvnb|Ohnuki-Tierney|2002|pp=68–69}}</ref> In 1885, all previous laws not published in the Official Gazette of Japan were abolished.<ref>{{Harvnb|Rohl|2005|p=20}}</ref> Because of this ruling by the new cabinet of Japan, the {{transliteration|ja|Hinomaru}} was the ''de facto'' national flag since no law was in place after the [[Meiji Restoration]].<ref name="defacto">{{Harvnb|Befu|1992|pp=32–33}}</ref>

===Early conflicts and the Pacific War===
[[File:1939 Family photo from Nagano.jpg|thumb|alt=A family gathers around a young boy in a military uniform, surrounded by banners and flags. Some of the children also hold flags.|1930s photo of a military enrollment. The {{transliteration|ja|Hinomaru}} displayed on a house and held by several children.]]
[[File:Manchuguo Poster.harmony of J,C and Mpeople.jpg|thumb|upright|alt=Three children holding flags in front of a building and a rising sun|[[Propaganda]] poster promoting harmony among [[Japanese people|Japanese]], [[Han Chinese|Chinese]], and [[Manchu]]. The caption in Chinese (read right to left) reads "With the cooperation of Japan, China, and Manchukuo, the world can be in peace".]]

The use of the national flag grew as Japan sought to develop an empire, and the {{transliteration|ja|Hinomaru}} was present at celebrations after victories in the [[First Sino-Japanese War|First Sino-Japanese]] and [[Russo-Japanese War]]s. The flag was also used in war efforts throughout the country.<ref name="Befu 92–95">{{Harvnb|Befu|2001|pp=92–95}}</ref> A Japanese propaganda film in 1934 portrayed foreign national flags as incomplete or defective with their designs, while portraying the Japanese flag as perfect in all forms.<ref>{{Harvnb|Nornes|2003|p=81}}</ref> In 1937, a group of girls from [[Hiroshima Prefecture]] showed solidarity with Japanese soldiers fighting in China during the [[Second Sino-Japanese War]], by eating "flag meals" that consisted of an [[umeboshi]] in the middle of a bed of rice. The {{transliteration|ja|Hinomaru [[bento]]}} became the main symbol of Japan's war mobilization and solidarity with its soldiers until the 1940s.<ref>{{Harvnb|Cwiertka|2007|pp=117–119}}</ref>

Japan's early victories in the Sino-Japanese War resulted in the {{transliteration|ja|Hinomaru}} again being used for celebrations. It was seen in the hands of every Japanese during parades.<ref name="Befu 92–95" />

Textbooks during this period also had the {{transliteration|ja|Hinomaru}} printed with various slogans expressing devotion to the Emperor and the country. Patriotism was taught as a virtue to Japanese children. Expressions of patriotism, such as displaying the flag or worshiping the Emperor daily, were all part of being a "good Japanese".<ref>{{Harvnb|Partner|2004|pp=55–56}}</ref>

The flag was a tool of Japanese imperialism in the occupied Southeast Asian areas during the [[World War II|Second World War]]: people had to use the flag,<ref>{{Harvnb|Tipton|2002|p=137}}</ref> and schoolchildren sang {{transliteration|ja|Kimigayo}} in morning flag raising ceremonies.<ref>{{Harvnb|Newell|1982|p=28}}</ref> Local flags were allowed for some areas such as the [[Second Philippine Republic|Philippines]], [[Japanese occupation of the Dutch East Indies|Indonesia]], and [[Manchukuo]].<ref>{{vcite news | title=The Camera Overseas: The Japanese People Voted Against Frontier Friction | date=21 June 1937 | url=https://books.google.com/books?id=1UQEAAAAMBAJ&dq=Manchukuo+flag&pg=PA74 | work=[[Life (magazine)|Life]] | page=75 | access-date=4 January 2022 | archive-date=13 August 2024 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240813023048/https://books.google.com/books?id=1UQEAAAAMBAJ&dq=Manchukuo+flag&pg=PA74#v=onepage&q=Manchukuo%20flag&f=false }}</ref><ref>{{vcite web |url=http://www.nhi.gov.ph/index2.php?option=com_content&do_pdf=1&id=26 |title=The Controversial Philippine National Flag |access-date=19 January 2010 |date=2008 |format=PDF |publisher=National Historical Institute |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090601003438/http://www.nhi.gov.ph/index2.php?option=com_content&do_pdf=1&id=26 |archive-date=1 June 2009 |df= }}</ref><ref>{{Harvnb|Taylor|2004|p=321}}</ref> In [[Korea under Japanese rule|Korea]] which was part of the Empire of Japan, the {{transliteration|ja|Hinomaru}} and other symbols were used to declare that the Koreans were subjects of the empire.<ref>{{harvnb|Goodman, Neary|1996|p=102}}</ref>

During the Pacific War, Americans coined the derogatory term "meatballs" for the {{transliteration|ja|Hinomaru}} and Japanese [[military aircraft insignia]].<ref>Morita, D. (19 April 2007) "A Story of Treason", San Francisco: ''[[Nichi Bei Times]]''.</ref> To the Japanese, the {{transliteration|ja|Hinomaru}} was the "Rising Sun flag that would light the darkness of the entire world".<ref>{{Harvnb|Ebrey|2004|p=443}}</ref> To Westerners, it was one of the Japanese military's most powerful symbols.<ref>{{vcite news | author =Hauser, Ernest | title =Son of Heaven | date =10 June 1940 | url =https://books.google.com/books?id=4j8EAAAAMBAJ&dq=japanese+flag+loyal+Emperor&pg=PA79 | work =Life | page =79 | access-date =17 January 2010 | archive-url =https://web.archive.org/web/20111214192215/http://books.google.com/books?id=4j8EAAAAMBAJ&pg=PA79&dq=japanese+flag+loyal+emperor&lr=&as_brr=0&client=firefox-a&cd=7#v=onepage&q=japanese%20flag%20loyal%20Emperor&f=false | archive-date =14 December 2011 | url-status =live }}</ref>

===U.S. occupation=== <!--Flag of Germany links here -->
{{multiple image
| footer = '''''Left:''''' The {{transliteration|ja|Hinomaru}} is lowered in [[Seoul|Seoul, Korea]], on 9 September 1945, the day of the surrender. <br /><br />'''''Right:''''' The civil and naval ensign of [[Occupation of Japan|occupied Japan]]. The {{transliteration|ja|Hinomaru}} simultaneously remained in ''de facto'' use.
| image1 = Surrender of Japanese Forces in Southern Korea.jpg
| width1 = 136
| alt1   = Men in military dress watch a flag being lowered.
| image2 = Flag of Allied Occupied Japan.svg
| width2 = 136
| alt2   = Japanese civil and naval ensign during Allied occupation.
}}

The {{transliteration|ja|Hinomaru}} was the ''[[de facto]]'' flag of Japan throughout [[World War II]] and the occupation period.<ref name="defacto" /> During the [[occupation of Japan]] after World War II, permission from the [[Supreme Commander of the Allied Powers]] (SCAPJ) was needed to fly the {{transliteration|ja|Hinomaru}}.<ref name="flag45">{{vcite web |url=http://www.mext.go.jp/b_menu/houdou/11/09/990906j.htm |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080110115759/http://www.mext.go.jp/b_menu/houdou/11/09/990906j.htm |archive-date=10 January 2008 |title=国旗，国歌の由来等 |trans_title=Origin of the National Flag and Anthem |publisher=Ministry of Education |language=Japanese |date=1 September 1999 |access-date=1 December 2007}}</ref><ref name='Goodman' /> Sources differ on the degree to which the use of the {{transliteration|ja|Hinomaru}} flag was restricted; some use the term "banned;"<ref name='Wesiman' /><ref name="banned">{{vcite book | author = Hardarce, Helen; Adam L. Kern | title = New Directions in the Study of Meiji Japan | publisher = Brill | date = 1997 | page = 653 | url = https://books.google.com/books?id=pXlZoSjXb2QC&dq=Japanese+flag+banned&pg=PA653 | isbn = 978-90-04-10735-9 | access-date = 18 October 2015 }} {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240813023049/https://books.google.com/books?id=pXlZoSjXb2QC&dq=Japanese+flag+banned&pg=PA653#v=onepage&q=Japanese%20flag%20banned&f=false |date=13 August 2024 }}</ref> however, while the original restrictions were severe, they did not amount to an outright ban.<ref name="defacto" />

After World War II, an [[Ensign (flag)|ensign]] was used by Japanese civil ships of the United States Naval Shipping Control Authority for Japanese Merchant Marines.<ref name="scajape">{{vcite web|url=http://homepage2.nifty.com/captysd/yomoyama/syometu.htm|title=邦人船員消滅|trans_title=Kunihito crew extinguished|author=吉田 藤人|language=Japanese|access-date=2 December 2007|archive-url=https://archive.today/20121209001156/http://homepage2.nifty.com/captysd/yomoyama/syometu.htm|archive-date=9 December 2012|df=}}</ref> Modified from the "E" [[International maritime signal flags|signal code]], the ensign was used from September 1945 until the U.S. occupation of Japan ceased.<ref>{{vcite book | author = University of Leicester | title = The Journal of Transport History | publisher = University of Leicester | year = 1987 | location = Manchester, United Kingdom | page = 41 | url = https://books.google.com/books?id=pYO2AAAAIAAJ&q=flag+SCAJAP+Easy | access-date = 18 October 2015 }} {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240813023037/https://books.google.com/books?id=pYO2AAAAIAAJ&q=flag+SCAJAP+Easy |date=13 August 2024 }}</ref> U.S. ships operating in Japanese waters used a modified "O" signal flag as their ensign.<ref>{{Harvnb|Carr, Hulme|1956|p=200}}</ref>

On 2 May 1947, General [[Douglas MacArthur]] lifted the restrictions on displaying the {{transliteration|ja|Hinomaru}} in the grounds of the [[National Diet Building]], on the [[Tokyo Imperial Palace|Imperial Palace]], on the [[Kantei|Prime Minister's residence]], and on the Supreme Court building with the ratification of the new [[Constitution of Japan]].<ref name="47letter">{{vcite web |url=http://www.ndl.go.jp/constitution/shiryo/05/002_23/002_23tx.html |title=Letter from Shigeru Yoshida to General MacArthur dated May 2, 1947 |publisher=National Diet Library |author=Yoshida, Shigeru |language=Japanese, English |date=2 May 1947 |access-date=3 December 2007 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081208161853/http://www.ndl.go.jp/constitution/shiryo/05/002_23/002_23tx.html |archive-date=8 December 2008 }}</ref><ref>{{vcite web |url=http://www.ndl.go.jp/constitution/e/shiryo/05/142/142tx.html |title=Letter from Douglas MacArthur to Prime Minister dated May 2, 1947 |access-date=10 December 2009 |author=MacArthur, Douglas |date=2 May 1947 |publisher=National Archives of Japan |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110611221724/http://www.ndl.go.jp/constitution/e/shiryo/05/142/142tx.html |archive-date=11 June 2011 }}</ref> Those restrictions were further relaxed in 1948, when people were allowed to fly the flag on national holidays. In January 1949, the restrictions were abolished and anyone could fly the {{transliteration|ja|Hinomaru}} at any time without permission. As a result, schools and homes were encouraged to fly the {{transliteration|ja|Hinomaru}} until the early 1950s.<ref name="flag45" />

===Postwar to 1999===
[[File:Japan joins the United Nations.jpg|thumb|upright|alt=A group of men and women watching a flag being raised.|The {{transliteration|ja|Hinomaru}} being raised at the [[United Nations]] headquarters in [[New York City]] in 1956]]

Since World War II, Japan's flag has been criticized for its association with the country's [[militarism|militaristic]] past. Similar objections have also been raised to the current national anthem of Japan, {{transliteration|ja|[[Kimigayo]]}}.<ref name="japantimes" /> The feelings about the {{transliteration|ja|Hinomaru}} and {{transliteration|ja|Kimigayo}} represented a general shift from a patriotic feeling about {{transliteration|ja|Dai Nippon}} (Great Japan) to the pacifist and anti-militarist {{transliteration|ja|Nihon}}. Because of this ideological shift, the flag was used less often in Japan directly after the war even though restrictions were lifted by the SCAPJ in 1949.<ref name='Goodman'>{{harvnb|Goodman, Neary|1996|pp=81–83}}</ref><ref>{{Harvnb|Meyer|2009|p=266}}</ref>

As Japan began to re-establish itself diplomatically, the {{transliteration|ja|Hinomaru}} was used as a political weapon overseas. In a visit by [[Hirohito|Emperor Hirohito]] and [[Empress Kōjun]] to the [[Netherlands]], the {{transliteration|ja|Hinomaru}} was burned by Dutch citizens who demanded that he either be sent home to Japan or tried for the deaths of Dutch [[prisoner of war|prisoners of war]] during the Second World War.<ref>{{Harvnb|Large|1992|p=184}}</ref> Domestically, the flag was not even used in protests against a new [[U.S.–Japan Status of Forces Agreement|Status of Forces Agreement]] being negotiated between the U.S. and Japan. The most common flag used by the trade unions and other protesters was the [[red flag (politics)|red flag]] of revolt.<ref>{{Harvnb|Yamazumi|1988|p=76}}</ref>

An issue with the {{transliteration|ja|Hinomaru}} and national anthem was raised once again when Tokyo hosted the [[1964 Summer Olympics|1964 Summer Olympic Games]]. Before the Olympic Games, the size of the sun disc of the national flag was changed partly because the sun disc was not considered striking when it was being flown with other national flags.<ref name='Goodman' /> Tadamasa Fukiura, a color specialist, chose to set the sun disc at two-thirds of the flag's length. Fukiura also chose the flag colors for the 1964 games as well as for the [[1998 Winter Olympics]] in Nagano.<ref>{{cite AV media |people=Fukiura, Tadamasa|script-title=ja:ブラックマヨネーズ|medium=TV|publisher=New Star Creation|location=Japan|date=2009}}</ref>

In 1989, the death of Emperor Hirohito once again raised moral issues about the national flag. Conservatives felt that if the flag could be used during the ceremonies without reopening old wounds, they might have a chance to propose that the {{transliteration|ja|Hinomaru}} become the national flag without being challenged about its meaning.<ref name="Borneman 112">{{harvnb|Borneman|2003|p=112}}</ref> During an official six-day mourning period, flags were flown at half staff or draped in black bunting all across Japan.<ref>{{vcite news | author=Chira, Susan | title=Hirohito, 124th Emperor of Japan, Is Dead at 87 | date=7 January 1989 | url=https://www.nytimes.com/learning/general/onthisday/bday/0429.html | work=[[The New York Times]] | access-date=30 January 2010 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100107042919/http://www.nytimes.com/learning/general/onthisday/bday/0429.html | archive-date=7 January 2010 | url-status=live }}</ref> Despite reports of protesters vandalizing the {{transliteration|ja|Hinomaru}} on the day of the Emperor's funeral,<ref>{{harvnb|Kataoka|1991|p=149}}</ref> schools' right to fly the Japanese flag at [[half-staff]] without reservations brought success to the conservatives.<ref name="Borneman 112" />

===Since 1999===
[[File:国旗及び国歌に関する法律.jpg|thumb|upright|alt=A page with Asian characters and a black-and-white version of the Japanese flag left above|The ''Law Regarding the National Flag and National Anthem'' as it appears in the Official Gazette on 13 August 1999]]

The ''[[Act on National Flag and Anthem (Japan)|Law Regarding the National Flag and National Anthem]]'' was passed in 1999, choosing both the {{transliteration|ja|Hinomaru}} and {{transliteration|ja|Kimigayo}} as Japan's national symbols. The passage of the law stemmed from the suicide of the principal of [[:ja:広島県立世羅高等学校|Sera High School]] in [[Sera, Hiroshima|Sera]], [[Hiroshima Prefecture|Hiroshima]], Toshihiro Ishikawa, who could not resolve a dispute between his school board and his teachers over the use of the {{transliteration|ja|Hinomaru}} and {{transliteration|ja|Kimigayo}}.<ref>{{Harvnb|Aspinall|2001|p=126}}</ref><ref name="nytimes.com">{{vcite news | title = Vote in Japan Backs Flag and Ode as Symbols | date = 23 July 1999 | url = https://www.nytimes.com/1999/07/23/world/vote-in-japan-backs-flag-and-ode-as-symbols.html | work = The New York Times | access-date = 13 October 2010 | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20130601063502/http://www.nytimes.com/1999/07/23/world/vote-in-japan-backs-flag-and-ode-as-symbols.html | archive-date = 1 June 2013 | url-status = live }}</ref> The Act is one of the most controversial laws passed by the [[Diet of Japan|Diet]] since the 1992 "Law Concerning Cooperation for United Nations Peacekeeping Operations and Other Operations", also known as the "International Peace Cooperation Law".<ref name="Williams">{{harvnb|Williams|2006|p=91}}</ref>

[[Prime Minister of Japan|Prime Minister]] [[Keizō Obuchi]] of the [[Liberal Democratic Party (Japan)|Liberal Democratic Party]] (LDP) decided to draft legislation to make the {{transliteration|ja|Hinomaru}} and {{transliteration|ja|Kimigayo}} official symbols of Japan in 2000. His [[Chief Cabinet Secretary]], [[Hiromu Nonaka]], wanted the legislation to be completed by the 10th anniversary of Emperor [[Akihito]]'s [[Enthronement of the Japanese Emperor|enthronement]].<ref name="Itoh 2003 209–210">{{Harvnb|Itoh|2003|pp=209–210}}</ref> This is not the first time legislation was considered for establishing both symbols as official. In 1974, with the backdrop of the 1972 return of Okinawa to Japan and the [[1973 oil crisis]], Prime Minister [[Kakuei Tanaka]] hinted at a law being passed enshrining both symbols in the law of Japan.<ref name='Goodman82-83'>{{harvnb|Goodman, Neary|1996|pp=82–83}}</ref> In addition to instructing the schools to teach and play {{transliteration|ja|Kimigayo}}, Tanaka wanted students to raise the {{transliteration|ja|Hinomaru}} flag in a ceremony every morning, and to adopt a moral curriculum based on certain elements of the [[Imperial Rescript on Education]] pronounced by the [[Meiji Emperor]] in 1890.<ref>{{vcite news | title = Education: Tanaka v. the Teachers | date = 17 June 1974 | url = http://www.time.com/time/magazine/article/0,9171,879332-1,00.html | work = [[Time (magazine)|Time]] | access-date = 13 October 2010 | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20110623055527/http://www.time.com/time/magazine/article/0,9171,879332-1,00.html | archive-date = 23 June 2011 }}</ref> Tanaka was unsuccessful in passing the law through the Diet that year.<ref>{{harvnb|Okano|1999|p=237}}</ref>

The main supporters of the bill were the LDP and the [[Komeito]] (CGP), while the opposition included the [[Social Democratic Party (Japan)|Social Democratic Party]] (SDPJ) and [[Japanese Communist Party|Communist Party]] (JCP), who cited the connotations both symbols had with the war era. The CPJ was further opposed for not allowing the issue to be decided by the public. Meanwhile, the [[Democratic Party of Japan]] (DPJ) could not develop party consensus on it. DPJ President and future prime minister [[Naoto Kan]] stated that the DPJ must support the bill because the party already recognized both symbols as the symbols of Japan.<ref>{{vcite web |url=http://archive.dpj.or.jp/news/?num=11044 |title=国旗国歌法制化についての民主党の考え方 |access-date=17 January 2010 |date=21 July 1999 |publisher=Democratic Party of Japan |trans_title=The DPJ Asks For A Talk About the Flag and Anthem Law |language=Japanese |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130708111200/http://archive.dpj.or.jp/news/?num=11044 |archive-date=8 July 2013 }}</ref> Deputy Secretary General and future prime minister [[Yukio Hatoyama]] thought that this bill would cause further divisions among society and the public schools. Hatoyama voted for the bill while Kan voted against it.<ref name="Itoh 2003 209–210" />

Before the vote, there were calls for the bills to be separated at the Diet. [[Waseda University]] professor Norihiro Kato stated that {{transliteration|ja|Kimigayo}} is a separate issue more complex than the {{transliteration|ja|Hinomaru}} flag.<ref>{{vcite book | last1 = Calichman | first1 = Richard | title = Contemporary Japanese Thought | publisher = Columbia University Press | year = 2005 | page = 211 | url = https://books.google.com/books?id=Y8Paxm86ONwC&dq=kimigayo&pg=PA211 | access-date = 14 October 2010 | isbn = 978-0-231-13620-4 }} {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240813023044/https://books.google.com/books?id=Y8Paxm86ONwC&dq=kimigayo&pg=PA211#v=onepage&q=kimigayo&f=false |date=13 August 2024 }}</ref> Attempts to designate only the {{transliteration|ja|Hinomaru}} as the national flag by the DPJ and other parties during the vote of the bill were rejected by the Diet.<ref>{{vcite web |url=http://archive.dpj.or.jp/news/?num=8506 |title=国旗・国歌法案、衆院で可決 民主党は自主投票 |access-date=18 January 2010 |trans_title=Flag and Anthem Law Passed by the House, DPJ Free Vote |date=22 July 1999 |publisher=Democratic Party of Japan |language=Japanese |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131019105928/http://archive.dpj.or.jp/news/?num=8506 |archive-date=19 October 2013 }}</ref> The House of Representatives passed the bill on 22 July 1999, by a 403 to 86 vote.<ref>{{vcite web |url=http://kokkai.ndl.go.jp/SENTAKU/syugiin/145/0001/14507220001047c.html |title=第１４５回国会 本会議 第４７号 |access-date=17 January 2010 |date=22 July 1999 |publisher=National Diet Library |language=Japanese |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120714043020/http://kokkai.ndl.go.jp/SENTAKU/syugiin/145/0001/14507220001047c.html |archive-date=14 July 2012 }}</ref> The legislation was sent to the House of Councilors on 28 July and was passed on 9 August. It was enacted into law on 13 August.<ref>{{vcite web|url=http://www.shugiin.go.jp/itdb_gian.nsf/html/gian/keika/1CE3AB6.htm |title=議案審議経過情報: 国旗及び国歌に関する法律案 |access-date=17 January 2010 |date=13 August 1999 |publisher=House of Representatives |language=Japanese |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110323180056/http://www.shugiin.go.jp/itdb_gian.nsf/html/gian/keika/1CE3AB6.htm |archive-date=23 March 2011 |df= }}</ref>

On 8 August 2009, a photograph was taken at a DPJ rally for the [[2009 Japanese general election|House of Representatives election]] showing a banner that was hanging from a ceiling. The banner was made of two {{transliteration|ja|Hinomaru}} flags cut and sewn together to form the shape of the DPJ logo. This infuriated the LDP and Prime Minister [[Tarō Asō]], saying this act was unforgivable. In response, DPJ President Yukio Hatoyama (who voted for the Law Regarding the National Flag and National Anthem)<ref name="Itoh 2003 209–210" /> said that the banner was not the {{transliteration|ja|Hinomaru}} and should not be regarded as such.<ref name='dpjrally'>{{vcite news | title=【日本の議論】日の丸裁断による民主党旗問題 国旗の侮辱行為への罰則は是か非か | trans_title=(Japan) Discussion of penalties of acts of contempt against the Hinomaru by the DPJ | date=30 August 2009 | publisher=Sankei Digital | url=http://sankei.jp.msn.com/life/trend/090830/trd0908301601006-n1.htm | work=Sankei Shimbun | access-date=6 September 2009 | language=Japanese | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090902084654/http://sankei.jp.msn.com/life/trend/090830/trd0908301601006-n1.htm | archive-date=2 September 2009 | df= }}</ref>