Nearly 150 Japan academics oppose bill banning national flag desecration

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TOKYO: A group of nearly 150 Japanese academics has officially petitioned lawmakers to oppose a controversial bill criminalizing national flag desecration. These 148 legal experts strongly argue that the legislation severely threatens constitutional rights to free political expression.

Part of Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi\'s conservative agenda, the bill penalizes anyone who publicly damages, removes, or defaces the national flag. Those found causing significant public discomfort face up to two years in prison or a 200,000 yen fine.

Law professor Takaaki Matsumiya warned that the flag carries negative historical imagery linked directly to Japan\'s past wars of aggression. Academics caution that the legislation dangerously creates crimes of hurting feelings and could easily be abused by police forces.

Although the bill cleared the lower house last week, it faces intense pushback from opposition parties before hitting the upper house later this month.