June 10, 2026

Akahata editorial (excerpts)

The ruling Liberal Democratic Party has drafted a bill to create a crime of desecrating Japan’s national flag, which would punish acts of damaging the “Hinomaru” flag. The LDP plans to submit the bill to the current Diet session in collaboration with its coalition partner “Nippon Ishin no Kai” party.

The LDP’s draft bill states, “Any person who publicly damages, removes, or defaces the national flag in a manner likely to cause significant discomfort or revulsion to others shall face up to two years’ imprisonment or a fine of up to 200,000 yen.” Posting videos of such acts on social media would also incur the same penalties, according to the draft bill

The LDP claims that some kind of law is necessary because desecrating or damaging Japan’s national flag has occurred in the past. However, the only examples it cites are two incidents that took place in 1987 and 2008. The LDP also argues that while desecrating the insignia or flag of other countries is illegal, this is not the case for the Japanese national flag. The purpose of that crime, however, is to facilitate smooth diplomatic relations. Neither of these points can serve as a valid basis for arguing that legislation is necessary.

How one relates to the national flag is a matter of the individual’s inner thoughts and beliefs. Criminalizing such acts is tantamount to criminalizing one’s inner thoughts.

The intrusion of state power into individuals’ inner thoughts is reminiscent of the prewar era when the imperial government drove the nation toward wars of aggression by controlling people’s beliefs and ideology.

It was Prime Minister Takaichi Sanae who first proposed creating a crime of vandalizing the Hinomaru as part of the government attempt to turn Japan into a “state capable of fighting in wars abroad”. As a condition for forming a coalition, the LDP agreed with the “Ishin” to aim to enact this legislation.

In order to prevent Japan from heading down the path of becoming a war-fighting state again, it is necessary to build a nationwide movement strongly expressing public opposition to the legislation.

Past related article:
> Takaichi eager to criminalize Japan flag desecration [January 25 & 28, 2026]