Rising Sun Flag in World Cup video sparks controversy

A video containing the Rising Sun Flag, a symbol associated with Japanese militarism, has sparked controversy online just before the 2026 World Cup. Professor Seo Kyoung-duk of Sungshin Women's University brought attention to the issue, stating that a Mexican YouTuber created a World Cup-related video that included the flag. The YouTuber's channel primarily features soccer content and repeatedly showed the Rising Sun Flag in a video introducing the 48 countries participating in the World Cup. This video has reportedly surpassed 1.3 million views and received over 10,000 likes.

Professor Seo recalled a similar incident during the 2022 Qatar World Cup, where an image of the Rising Sun Flag was superimposed on the faces of Japanese supporters on a large billboard in Doha. He attributed these occurrences to foreigners who, lacking knowledge of the flag's historical background, mistakenly believe it to be a representative symbol of Japan. For many Asians, the flag evokes painful memories of war.

Seo emphasized that the Rising Sun Flag is a symbol of Japanese imperialism and militarism, which caused immense suffering to neighboring countries during Japan's colonial period and wartime aggression. He urged for greater awareness and sensitivity regarding its historical implications.

“

This is a mistake that happens when foreigners, unaware of the historical background of the Rising Sun Flag, mistake it for a symbol representing Japan.