Lower House committee approves bill banning national flag desecration

A Lower House committee approved a bill Friday that would make it illegal to publicly damage, remove or deface Japan's national flag in a manner that causes extreme discomfort or disgust to others. The proposed law sets penalties of up to two years in prison or a fine of ¥200,000 for violations, including recording and posting such acts online.

Japan already prohibits desecration of foreign flags but not its own.

Next steps and public opinion The bill is scheduled for a Lower House plenary vote next week and is expected to pass the Upper House with limited opposition. Several local media polls show majority public support, with 57 percent backing the measure in one survey and 52 percent in another.

The legislation includes a clause directing authorities to avoid unduly infringing on freedom of expression and other constitutional rights. Critics within the ruling party have argued the bill is unnecessary because flag desecration incidents remain rare.