Why was the UN-Occupied Japan Flag Similar to the Filipino Flag?

After Japan's defeat in World War II, the country was occupied by Allied forces, primarily the United States. In this period, the Japanese flag known as the Nisshoki or Hinomaru (a red circle on a white field) was still in use, but the Allied occupation led to the use of some of their own flags. Notably, the flag of the UN-occupied Japan during this time shared a similar basic design with the flag of the Philippines. This article will explore the similarities and differences between these two flags, and the reasons behind their shared design elements.

Historical Context

Following Japan's defeat, the Allied forces, with the United States leading, were in control of the country. The Japanese flag, the Nisshoki, was still formally used, but the presence of Allied flags, particularly the American flag, was significant. During the occupation, the need arose to adopt a flag that symbolized the principles of a new era while also avoiding the emotional and political connotations associated with the Japanese imperial flag.

Design Similarities

The flag of the Philippines, adopted in 1898, consists of a blue field representing peace and justice, a red field symbolizing patriotism and valor, and a white triangle with three stars symbolizing the three main geographical regions of the Philippines: Luzon, Visayas, and Mindanao. The design of the Filipino flag was influenced by American ideals and the revolutionary movements in the Philippines. There was a blend of American and Filipino influences, as the Philippines had been a territory of the United States.

Official Justification

During the Allied occupation, the flag of occupied Japan was not officially separate from the Japanese national flag. The official justification for the design was that the flag featured the letter "E" in the international flag communication protocol for ships, used by ships during the occupation. However, the flag did not contain the white triangle with stars, which is a significant element of the Filipino flag.

Visual Similarities and Differences

The UN-occupied Japan flag and the Filipino flag share certain visual similarities, but there are also distinct differences that make them unique, such as:

Placement of the White Triangle: The Japanese flag had the white triangle away from the staff (left side), whereas the Filipino flag has the white triangle next to the staff (right side). Stars: The Filipino flag features three stars, symbolizing the three main regions of the country, but the Japanese flag did not have this element. Colors: The colors red, blue, and white were chosen because they were widely used in other flags, such as those of the United Kingdom, the United States, France, and other countries.

Cultural and Historical Influences

The flag of the Czechoslovakia (and subsequently the Czech Republic) also bears a striking resemblance to the UN-occupied Japan flag. The Czechoslovak flag was created in 1918, when the need arose to distinguish it from the Polish flag, which had only two horizontal white and red stripes. The blue wedge was added to create a unique design that could symbolize Slovakia. The irony is that after the dissolution of Czechoslovakia, the Czech flag retains the blue wedge, which signifies Slovakia, which is no longer formally part of the Czech Republic.

Conclusion

While there may be visual similarities between the UN-occupied Japan flag and the Filipino flag, the fundamental differences in their symbolism and design make them distinct national symbols. The similarities are likely coincidental, arising from the shared use of colors and design elements that were widely recognized and easily accessible during the post-war period. Understanding these differences and the historical context is crucial for appreciating the unique identity of each flag.