• Duamerthrax@lemmy.world
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    5 months ago

    Their Navy flag predates the rise of State Shinto and Imperial Japan. It’s not really the same thing

    • Cowbee [he/him]@lemmy.ml
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      5 months ago

      The swastika predates Nazi Germany, but is forever tarnished by it. In Asia, the flag of Imperial Japan is often seen as a symbol of fascism, Imperialism, and war crimes.

      • Duamerthrax@lemmy.world
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        5 months ago

        There are actually efforts to reclaim the swastika for cultural reasons predating the Nazis. It’s not hard to tell a Nazi swastika from a Hindu one

        Behind the Bastards did a two part episode on the history of it.

        I know what the Rising Sun flag means in Asia. I’m just saying that they’re not quite the same thing.

        • Cowbee [he/him]@lemmy.ml
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          5 months ago

          More power to them for trying to reclaim it! It was stolen anyways.

          The difference with Imperial Japan is that the flag is still being used by the same group that committed war crimes. The Rising Sun can’t simply be reclaimed, unlike the Swastika.