Costa Rica Defeats Japan 1-0 in Group E Second Match
Japanese Fans Waving Rising Sun Flags in Stands... Removed After Officials' Intervention
On the 27th (Korean time), during the Group E match between Japan and Costa Rica at the 2022 Qatar World Cup, a Japanese soccer fan is cheering while holding a Rising Sun flag in the stands of Ahmad Bin Ali Stadium in Al Rayyan, Qatar. Photo by Yonhap News
[Asia Economy Reporter Hwang Sumi] During the second group stage match of the 2022 FIFA World Cup Qatar, Japanese soccer fans were stopped from entering the stadium while carrying Rising Sun flags.
On the 27th (Korean time) at 7 p.m., Japan played their second Group E match against Costa Rica at Ahmad Bin Ali Stadium in Al Rayyan, Qatar. Having defeated the German national team 2-1 in the first match, Japan had a higher chance of advancing to the round of 16 than Costa Rica, who suffered a heavy defeat to Spain. However, Japan lost 0-1 to Costa Rica in this match, failing to earn any points and facing the situation of preparing for the third match against Spain.
The issue arose from some Japanese fans spotted in the stands. They were cheering while displaying Rising Sun flags, and some even attempted to attach the flags to the stadium railings and walls. Eventually, stadium security intervened and removed the Rising Sun flags.
The Rising Sun flag is a military flag used by Japan since the late 19th century during the Pacific War and other Asian invasion wars. It symbolizes Japanese militarism and imperialism and is considered a war crime flag with the same connotation as the Nazi swastika during World War II.
The Rising Sun flag issue is raised at every international tournament. During the 2018 Russia World Cup, a scene showing Japanese supporters waving Rising Sun flags during the Group H second match against Senegal sparked major controversy. The controversy intensified when photos of the Japanese Rising Sun flag supporters were posted on FIFA’s official Instagram, angering many domestic fans.
Because of this, Professor Seo Kyung-duk of Sungshin Women’s University, who has been campaigning globally against the Rising Sun flag, was concerned about Japan’s use of the flag even before the Qatar World Cup began. At that time, he said, "A large Rising Sun flag supporter photo was displayed on the exterior wall of a famous shopping mall in Doha, Qatar’s capital, but it was removed following protests from local Korean residents and netizens," and added, "I will carry out a global campaign to prevent Japan’s use of the Rising Sun flag during this World Cup as well."
He also stated, "If the Japanese supporters display the Rising Sun flag during this tournament, I plan to immediately report it to FIFA and turn it into a global controversy." He actively urged domestic and international netizens to report any sightings of Rising Sun flag support either at the Qatar World Cup venue or on TV broadcasts.
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