Can an Army officer have a rising sun Tattoo?

2020-09-05T21:54:22-04:00

I was at fort drum I bumped into this army officer at px and he had huge rising sun flag tattoo on his forearm. Rising sun is a war flag japanese people used to slaughter chinese and koreans and this officer had a problem I was looking at it. it's like showing a nazi flag in front of jewish people. Can army officer have a rising sun flag tattoo?

Response by SFC Steven Borders made Sep 5 at 2020 10:08 PM

2020-09-05T22:08:02-04:00

Well, the flag is still used today in Japan as a symbol of tradition and good fortune, and is incorporated into commercial products and advertisements. Maybe he was honoring his heritage? Here are the big hitters with Tattoo's are they Indecent, Sexual, Racist or Extremist.

Now, I know that it is considered offensive in South Korea, East Asia and China because it was used for the Imperial Japanese military. But I don't think their are enough people that know the whole history of it to be offended here in the US.

Response by MSgt Private RallyPoint Member made Sep 5 at 2020 11:09 PM

2020-09-05T23:09:29-04:00

Since 1954, a renewed version of the rising sun has been the banner of the Japanese navy, known as the Japan Maritime Self-Defence Force.
Tokyo has said the flag is “widely used in Japan” and is “not considered a political statement”. But it is not Japan’s national flag. By embracing the flag, followers signal their belief that the Japanese should take pride in their military history, atrocities included. They are trying to resurrect honor for the country’s failed war effort, much like Americans who cling to Confederate flags. Unlike the Nazi swastika, the rising sun symbol enjoys legal guarantees under Japan’s freedom of speech laws.

Response by SSG Harry Outcalt made Sep 6 at 2020 3:12 AM

2020-09-06T03:12:15-04:00

he can until his higher chain of command says it is not advisable to be around, Koreans, Chinese, Philippino's, and other oriental races... it is allowed because westerners still do not understand the oriental way of thinking and most do not bother to ask or it would not be allowed. Much like only the Chinese , were partially paid by the Japanese for all of the Chinese artifacts and priceless things stolen, unlike the Koreans after ww2...

Response by SSG Private RallyPoint Member made Sep 6 at 2020 2:50 PM

2020-09-06T14:50:05-04:00

My friend,

If an individuals tattoo offends you, I suggest you fully understand AR 670-1 and AR 600-20 before filing a complaint against it. IF you do file a complaint, I will tell you it will go absolutely nowhere. Your justification that its like showing a Nazi flag in front of jewish individual is insane. Displaying pride in ones heritage whether it offends you or not grounds for an official complaint because of how insane it is. Does the tattoo really offend you, or are you just picking fights?

Response by SFC Kelly Fuerhoff made Sep 13 at 2020 1:02 PM

2020-09-13T13:02:20-04:00

Do you work with this officer? Will you see him on a daily basis? Or was it a one off encounter at the PX?

If this is someone you work with or will encounter, you can bring it up to them. If not, then let it go because it doesn't fall under a category in the US as racist, sexist, etc.

Understandable it offends you - I wouldn't worry about it unless you would be working with that person.