EXPLAINER: Why Japan 'rising sun' flag provokes Olympic ire
FILE - In this Aug. 15, 2020, file photo, a visitor carrying a rising sun flag enters Yasukuni Shrine in Tokyo as Japan marked the 75th anniversary of the end of World War II. Japan’s “rising sun” flag is raising anger at the Olympics, with some of the host nation’s neighbors calling for it to be banned during the Tokyo Games, which start Friday, July 23, 2021. (AP Photo/Eugene Hoshiko, File)

FILE - In this Aug. 15, 2020, file photo, a visitor carrying a rising sun flag enters Yasukuni Shrine in Tokyo as Japan marked the 75th anniversary of the end of World War II. Japan’s “rising sun” flag is raising anger at the Olympics, with some of the host nation’s neighbors calling for it to be banned during the Tokyo Games, which start Friday, July 23, 2021. (AP Photo/Eugene Hoshiko, File)

Jul. 22, 2021 08:10 PM EDT
FILE - In this Oct. 14, 2012, file photo, Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force (JMSDF) escort ship "Kurama," left, navigates behind destroyer "Yudachi," with a rising sun flag, during a fleet review in water off Sagami Bay, south of Tokyo. Japan’s “rising sun” flag is raising anger at the Olympics, with some of the host nation’s neighbors calling for it to be banned during the Tokyo Games, which start Friday, July 23, 2021. (AP Photo/Itsuo Inouye, File)

FILE - In this Oct. 14, 2012, file photo, Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force (JMSDF) escort ship "Kurama," left, navigates behind destroyer "Yudachi," with a rising sun flag, during a fleet review in water off Sagami Bay, south of Tokyo. Japan’s “rising sun” flag is raising anger at the Olympics, with some of the host nation’s neighbors calling for it to be banned during the Tokyo Games, which start Friday, July 23, 2021. (AP Photo/Itsuo Inouye, File)

Jul. 22, 2021 08:09 PM EDT
FILE - In this July 20, 2019, file photo, protesters tear a Japanese rising sun flag during a rally denouncing the Japanese government's decision on their exports to South Korea in front of Japanese Embassy in Seoul, South Korea. Japan’s “rising sun” flag is raising anger at the Olympics, with some of the host nation’s neighbors calling for it to be banned during the Tokyo Games, which start Friday, July 23, 2021. (AP Photo/Ahn Young-joon, File)

FILE - In this July 20, 2019, file photo, protesters tear a Japanese rising sun flag during a rally denouncing the Japanese government's decision on their exports to South Korea in front of Japanese Embassy in Seoul, South Korea. Japan’s “rising sun” flag is raising anger at the Olympics, with some of the host nation’s neighbors calling for it to be banned during the Tokyo Games, which start Friday, July 23, 2021. (AP Photo/Ahn Young-joon, File)

Jul. 22, 2021 08:10 PM EDT
FILE - In this April 25, 2013, file photo, members from conservative civic organizations burn a Japanese rising sun flag during a rally to protest Japanese lawmakers who made a visit to Yasukuni Shrine in Tokyo, in front of Japanese Embassy in Seoul, South Korea. Japan’s “rising sun” flag is raising anger at the Olympics, with some of the host nation’s neighbors calling for it to be banned during the Tokyo Games, which start Friday, July 23, 2021. (Lee Jung-hoon/Yonhap via AP, File)

FILE - In this April 25, 2013, file photo, members from conservative civic organizations burn a Japanese rising sun flag during a rally to protest Japanese lawmakers who made a visit to Yasukuni Shrine in Tokyo, in front of Japanese Embassy in Seoul, South Korea. Japan’s “rising sun” flag is raising anger at the Olympics, with some of the host nation’s neighbors calling for it to be banned during the Tokyo Games, which start Friday, July 23, 2021. (Lee Jung-hoon/Yonhap via AP, File)

Jul. 22, 2021 08:11 PM EDT
FILE - In this July 17, 2021, file photo, banners with the words "I still have the support of 50 million Korean people," are removed from balconies at the the Olympic athletes' village in Tokyo. South Korea removed the banners that the IOC ruled to be provocative, Seoul said it received an IOC promise that the displaying of the “rising sun” flag would also be banned at stadiums and other Olympic venues. (Jin Sung-chul/Yonhap via AP, File)

FILE - In this July 17, 2021, file photo, banners with the words "I still have the support of 50 million Korean people," are removed from balconies at the the Olympic athletes' village in Tokyo. South Korea removed the banners that the IOC ruled to be provocative, Seoul said it received an IOC promise that the displaying of the “rising sun” flag would also be banned at stadiums and other Olympic venues. (Jin Sung-chul/Yonhap via AP, File)

Jul. 22, 2021 08:17 PM EDT