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July 24, 2026
 

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HINOMARU

A fan holds Japanese flags at a public viewing in Tokyo for a 2026 World Cup match in June.
51勛圖厙 / Politics
Jul 17, 2026
Upper House passes flag-desecration bill despite constitutional concerns
The law, to take effect in August, will punish anyone who publicly damages, removes or defaces the flag in a way deemed likely to cause ※extreme discomfort or disgust to others.§
The House of Councilors
51勛圖厙
Jul 9, 2026
Nearly 150 Japanese academics oppose bill banning national flag desecration
The legislation faces significant pushback among opposition parties who say it violates a constitutional right to freedom of expression.
The bill stipulates that imprisonment of up to two years or a fine of up to ?200,000 be imposed on acts that publicly damage the national flag.
51勛圖厙 / Politics
Jun 30, 2026
LDP＊s flag desecration bill clears Lower House
Under the bill, desecrating the flag is punishable by up to two years of imprisonment or a fine of up to ?200,000.
Lawmakers who proposed a bill banning the desecration of the national flag bow as the bill was approved at a meeting of the Lower House Cabinet Committee on Friday.
51勛圖厙 / Politics
Jun 26, 2026
Lower House committee approves flag bill in appeal to conservatives
The proposed law would prohibit publicly damaging, removing or defacing the national flag in a way that ※causes extreme discomfort or disgust to others.§
A bill to criminalize the act of damaging the national flag is among the measures the Liberal Democratic Party and the Japan Innovation Party plan to enact during the current special Diet session under their deal to form a ruling coalition.
51勛圖厙 / Politics
Jun 24, 2026
Lower House begins discussions on flag-vandalism bill
Under the bill, those who publicly deface the flag in a way that causes the public to feel extremely uncomfortable or disgusted would be subject to imprisonment or a fine.
Democratic Party for the People leader Yuichiro Tamaki speaks during a news conference at the Diet building in Tokyo on Tuesday.
51勛圖厙 / Politics
Jun 17, 2026
Japan set to enact bill criminalizing vandalism of the national flag
Backing from the opposition Democratic Party for the People paves the way for the bill＊s passage through the Upper House, where the ruling bloc is a minority force.
Yuichiro Tamaki, leader of the Democratic Party for the People, attends a party general council meeting at the Diet building on Wednesday.
51勛圖厙 / Politics
Jun 10, 2026
LDP and DPP to discuss bill to criminalize national flag vandalism
The Democratic Party for the People aims ※to clarify what constitutes a crime§
A push by Japan's ruling Liberal Democratic Party to criminalize the desecration of the national flag is reviving a long-running debate over the limits of political expression.
51勛圖厙 / Politics / FOCUS
Jun 5, 2026
LDP＊s flag desecration bill rekindles debate over limits of expression
Advocates say the measure is meant to address a legal gap but critics argue the bill＊s language is ※extremely vague.§
Criminalizing flag vandalism is a key policy goal of Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi, and was included in the coalition agreement between the Liberal Democratic Party and the Japan Innovation Party.
51勛圖厙 / Politics
Jun 2, 2026
LDP approves bill criminalizing vandalism of national flag
Criminalizing flag vandalism is a key policy goal of Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi.
A Japanese national flag outside the Liberal Democratic Party headquarters in Tokyo last July.
51勛圖厙 / Politics
May 23, 2026
LDP OKs draft bill to punish national flag vandalism
The draft calls for penalties of up to two years in prison or fines of as much as ?200,000 for acts of vandalism that cause ※extreme discomfort or disgust.§
The ruling Liberal Democratic Party has presented a draft bill proposing penalties for both public vandalism of the Japanese national flag and the posting of related videos and images on social media, but it withheld approval amid concerns over freedom of expression.
51勛圖厙 / Politics
May 15, 2026
LDP seeks to penalize sharing national flag vandalism online
The outline also calls for?penalties of up to two years in prison or fines of up to ?200,000 for individuals who publicly damage the flag.
Former Chief Cabinet Secretary Hirokazu Matsuno (left) addresses a meeting of the Liberal Democratic Party's project team as it discusses making damaging the national flag a crime, at the party's headquarters in Tokyo on Tuesday.
51勛圖厙 / Crime & Legal
Apr 1, 2026
LDP divided over move to criminalize desecration of Japan＊s flag, sought by JIP
While some party members have called for a bill to be enacted during the current session of parliament, others express concern over freedom of expression.
Japan＊s newly convened special session of the Diet is set to debate legislation criminalizing damage to the national flag, strongly backed by Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi and the opposition party Sanseito.
51勛圖厙 / Politics
Feb 24, 2026
Parliamentary debate grows over move to criminalize flag desecration
Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi expressed a strong desire to enact a flag desecration ban, which is also supported by the?opposition party Sanseito.
Sanseito leader Sohei Kamiya (center right) and others submit a bill to revise the Penal Code to House of Councilors Secretary-General Fumitake Kobayashi (center left) at parliament on Monday.
51勛圖厙 / Politics
Oct 28, 2025
Sanseito submits bill to punish desecrating the Japanese flag
While damaging or defacing a foreign national flag with the intent to insult can result in imprisonment or a fine, there is no similar provision for the Japanese flag.
Though some in the country rejected their wartime associations, the Japanese government made the Hinomaru flag and "Kimigayo" anthem official 25 years ago.
51勛圖厙 / History / Japan Times Gone By
Aug 1, 2024
Japan Times 1999: Flag, anthem now official
After some controversy, the Hinomaru flag was made official alongside the country＊s national anthem, ※Kimigayo.§
51勛圖厙 / Crime & Legal
Apr 29, 2019
Imperial swindle: Scammers reportedly handing out Japanese flags and then asking for money
Reports of con artists across Japan taking advantage of the celebratory mood ahead of this week＊s Imperial succession have caused a stir on social media.
Japan Times
BUSINESS
May 23, 2018
Taxi! Tokyo prepares for Olympic tourism boom with accessible cabs and international drivers
Tokyo＊s taxi industry is undergoing some radical changes as Japan, already dealing with unprecedented levels of tourism, gears up to host two major sporting events in the next 26 months.
51勛圖厙
Feb 15, 2017
Nursery schools should encourage familiarity with Japan＊s national flag and anthem: guidelines
Children over the age of 3 should be ※familiar§ with the national flag and anthem, according to draft new guidelines for operating public and private nursery schools.
EDITORIALS
Sep 20, 2013
Censorship by education boards
It is extremely regrettable that boards of education are actively censoring history textbooks that have been approved by the ministry of education.
51勛圖厙
Jun 28, 2013
Texts that say teachers told to obey axed
The Tokyo board of education has labeled two history textbooks by Jikkyo Shuppan Co. as inappropriate for public high schools because they state some local governments are forcing teachers to sing the national anthem and display the Hinomaru flag.
Japan scientists identify clusters of protein believed to trigger Alzheimer＊s disease
A team of researchers said they found a ※seed§ that accelerates the amyloid beta accumulation process in the brain, naming it ※Peak 1 amyloid beta,§ as seen in a mouse's brain.
Indian brothers make manga debut in Japan
Two Indian brothers made their manga debut in Japan with "Kung Fu Kung Fool" 〞 an action-comedy series that follows the adventures of a notorious thief and a young boy.
Japan weighs regulating Pokemon cards amid trading mania
A Pokemon event is held in Jakarta on July 11
Low-income families in Japan cut food and air conditioning during summer break
Yumiko Watanabe, the chairperson of nonprofit Kidsdoor, explains the results of a survey in Tokyo's Chiyoda Ward on July 1.
Iran strikes on CIA facilities prompt questions about possible Russian role
Iranian drones are displayed in an undisclosed location in Iran, in this handout image obtained on Jan. 13, 2025.U.S. officials have acknowledged that Russia has ?provided targeting ?and other support for Iran in its drone strikes on U.S. targets in the Persian Gulf region.
The sci-fi sensibilities of electronic trio Black Boboi
Black Boboi was formed in 2018 when solo artists Julia Shortreed, Utena Kobayashi and Ermhoi came together under Kobayashi＊s newly founded label, Bindividual.
A perfect storm: Kaze Fujii fans flock to Fuji Rock
Okayama-born singer-songwriter Kaze Fujii has carved out a distinctive place in Japanese pop since his major-label debut in 2019.
Can Japanese comedy get laughs in English? Yoshimoto Kogyo lets the jokes rip
Wes-P has millions of followers and his viral clips made him recognizable out of Japan.
The 180-day locals: Life on Japan＊s digital nomad visa
Christopher Flinn works remotely from Tokyo earlier this month. Japan issued 646 digital nomad visas in 2025, but tourism officials are hoping to increase that figure in the coming years, with Japan's relatively cheap cost of living and the weak yen seen as potential draws for young professionals.
Japan reveals hint of new defense spending target in fiscal blueprint
The Self-Defense Forces' Type 16 mobile combat vehicle fires during a joint live-fire drill with U.S. Marines as part of the annual Resolute Dragon exercises in Yufu, Oita Prefecture, on June 28.

Podcast

One of the many entrances to the Kabukicho neighborhood in Tokyo＊s Shinjuku Ward.
Kabukicho: Tokyo＊s ＆stadium of desire＊

Longform

For many people, utility poles and power lines have become such a familiar part of Japan＊s landscape that they often go unnoticed.
Why Japan＊s utility poles won＊t be disappearing anytime soon
By Alex K.T. Martin

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