A sign prohibiting the display of Japan's Rising Sun flag was installed at the entrance of the baseball stadium for the 2026 Aichi-Nagoya Asian Games but was removed the following day. The organizing committee stated that the Rising Sun flag is not on the list of prohibited items.
According to local media, including Sports Nippon Annex, the organizing committee issued an apology on its official website on September 28 for the inappropriate signage at the baseball venue.
On September 26, a baseball game between Taiwan and Japan took place at the Okazaki Citizens' Stadium in Aichi Prefecture. At that time, a sign was posted at the entrance stating in Japanese, English, and Chinese that the Rising Sun flag and the Taiwanese flag (Blue Sky with a White Sun) were not allowed.
However, the sign was reportedly taken down the day after its installation without a clear explanation.
In its apology, the organizing committee explained, "To ensure the smooth operation of the event, certain prohibitions were established for spectators, including the display of flags from countries not participating in the event." They added, "Naturally, the Rising Sun flag is not prohibited, and the sign was posted due to a misunderstanding on-site." This implies that the display of the Rising Sun flag is permissible according to the regulations.
The image of the sign circulated widely on Japanese social media. According to Professor Seo Kyung-duk of Sungshin Women's University, Japanese netizens expressed their dissatisfaction by sharing the photo on platforms like X (formerly Twitter).
The Rising Sun flag symbolizes Japan's past imperialism and militarism. Controversies surrounding its use have arisen during major international sporting events, including the 2020 Tokyo Olympics and the 2026 FIFA World Cup in North and Central America.
* This article has been translated by AI.
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