Professor Seo Kyoung-duk of Sungshin Women‘s University has reported to the Olympic Council of Asia the display of the Rising Sun flag by spectators at a judo venue during the 2026 Aichi-Nagoya Asian Games.
Seo said on social media Monday that some spectators unfurled Rising Sun flags while cheering during the judo mixed team final between Japan and Kazakhstan at Aichi International Arena in Nagoya on Oct. 3.
A South Korean judo official who noticed the flag asked the organizing committee to take action, but no significant measures were taken.
Seo said this was because the organizing committee had publicly stated that it would allow spectators to display the Rising Sun flag. He said he sent a complaint email to the OCA along with a video explaining the history of the flag.
“The Rising Sun flag was prominently used when Japan invaded countries across Asia, including during the Pacific War, and symbolizes militarism and imperialism,” Seo wrote in the email. “Cheering while holding the Rising Sun flag reminds Asians once again of the horrors of war.”
He said the organizing committee was clearly at fault for allowing the flag into the venue and called on the OCA to act.
“The organizing committee, which pledged to hold an event promoting harmony and peace among Asians, should issue an official apology,” he said. “I also hope the OCA will continue to pay attention to the issue so that Rising Sun flags never again appear at future Asian Games.”
Seo said he would continue efforts to have the Rising Sun flag barred from sporting events worldwide.
(This article was produced with the assistance of AI. — Ed.)
