Japanese Netizens Attack Professor Over Rising Sun Flag Complaint

Professor Seo Kyoung-duk of Sungshin Women's University has reported Japanese netizens for cyberbullying after he lodged a complaint with FIFA regarding the display of a Rising Sun flag during a World Cup qualifier match. Seo revealed on Facebook that his complaint about the flag, a symbol of Japanese militarism, being displayed by Japanese fans at the North, Central American and Caribbean World Cup qualifier has caused a stir on Yahoo Japan, with thousands of comments on related news articles.

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They are pouring a tremendous amount of attacks onto my social media again. It seems that correcting historical inaccuracies with FIFA has struck a nerve with them.

"They are pouring a tremendous amount of attacks onto my social media again," Seo wrote, adding, "It seems that correcting historical inaccuracies with FIFA has struck a nerve with them." He noted that some Japanese netizens have posted comments questioning why the Rising Sun flag is problematic and have even sent him images of the South Korean flag with the Rising Sun flag superimposed.

Seo condemned these actions as "foolish" and a refusal to acknowledge history. "They are only attacking me, but they are continuously sending me images of our Taegeukgi with the Rising Sun flag superimposed on it via direct message," he said. "Do they think the history of the Rising Sun flag will be hidden or changed by doing this?" Seo vowed to use the attacks to further educate the world about the flag's history.

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These actions are foolish and a refusal to acknowledge history.

The controversy began when a Japanese spectator was seen displaying the Rising Sun flag during the World Cup qualifier between Japan and Tunisia on June 21. Similar incidents have occurred previously, including at the 2024 Paris Olympics and the 2022 Qatar World Cup, where FIFA officials intervened to remove the flag from the stadium.

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Do they think the history of the Rising Sun flag will be hidden or changed by doing this?

In his complaint to FIFA, Seo referenced the organization's response during the 2022 Qatar World Cup and expressed regret that similar measures were not taken this time. He urged FIFA to block the entry of Rising Sun flags by Japanese supporters and take swift action to prevent recurrence.

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I urged FIFA to block the entry of Rising Sun flags by Japanese supporters and take swift action to prevent recurrence.