Japan implements law criminalizing national flag vandalism

A new Japanese law criminalizing the public defacement, removal, or damage of the national flag went into effect on Thursday, August 13, 2026. Under the legislation, individuals who damage the flag in a manner that causes “extreme discomfort or disgust” to the public could face up to two years in prison or a fine of up to 200,000 yen.

The law applies to tangible objects recognized as national flags. It specifically excludes creative works such as anime, generative AI images, flag-shaped food decorations, and flag-inspired clothing patterns. While livestreams of flag vandalism are subject to punishment, archived broadcasts are not.

The legislation, supported by the Liberal Democratic Party and other groups, has faced criticism regarding the ambiguity of the term “extremely uncomfortable.” Opponents expressed concerns that the abstract language could lead to a “chilling effect” on political expression and artistic creativity. To address this, the law requires a comprehensive assessment of the circumstances and the surrounding environment, with explicit instructions to respect constitutional freedoms of expression and belief. The government has committed to reviewing the law after three years of implementation.