Regarding the Oct. 1 article "(Shoichi) Nakagawa shakes up press with move to plant Hinomaru in (Finance Ministry's) briefing room": It should be noted that the Japanese flag's design dates back to at least Ashikaga Shigeuji (1434-1497), who used the sun's disk in his banner, but I'm sure the motive is even older. Ashikaga Yoshiaki used it as did Uesugi Kenshin and Sakai Tadatsugu. Takeda Shingen used it on one of his banners (the Takeda Museum still has it). Date Masamune used it.
Plenty of variations of the sun disk were used by samurai hundreds of years ago -- red on white, red on black, red on gold, red on blue. If Japan should be compelled to change its flag, then so should Britain and France. The Union Jack was carried during the occupation of many countries. The French Tricolore was carried by Napoleon's troops when they invaded Europe.
Fact is, the Hinomaru is a lot older than many people want us to believe. There's more to Japan and the Hinomaru than the few years of aggression in Asia. I see no problems using the Hinomaru today. Those against it should do some research.
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