rising sun flag

The symbol of the former Imperial Japanese Army and Navy and the current naval ensign of Japan, still used in the Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force. It has a red sun with sixteen rays on a white field, with the sun being off-center to the left in the naval ensign version.

Mostly confused as the Empire of Japan's state flag during the Meiji-era until end of World War II (Empire of Japan at the time use the same flag as today's Japan). Commonly viewed in other Asian countries (especially China and Korea) as a symbol of Japanese aggression and colonialism. Many Japanese, however, disagree with this view.