Japanese actor Jun Kunimura faces mounting criticism in his country after suggesting that Japan understand Koreans’ sentiment toward the controversial Rising Sun Flag, given the two countries’ thorny history.



During the Busan International Film Festival on Friday, the actor said he thinks Japan should understand the way Koreans feel about the flag, when asked by a journalist about the controversy surrounding the flag being flown at a naval event in Korea.



“The Japan Self-Defense Force would say that they cannot concede because it is tradition, but I think to myself what if Japan shows an understanding,” said the actor, who serves as one of the jury members of the New Currents section of the film festival.





Jun Kunimura is pictured at the 2018 Busan International Film Festival (Yonhap)



His remark has drawn online criticism in Japan.



“You don’t have to ever come back to Japan,” read one response to the actor’s remark on Yahoo Japan.



“Don’t you take on a role that requires you to wear a military uniform again,” said another comment on the website, criticizing the actor.



Amid growing criticism, the film festival issued an apology, saying, “Political opinions can be exchanged at a film festival but guests should be protected from highly touchy subjects.



“You can’t express your view well on an issue that requires hours of discussion during a quick Q&A session at a press conference. We are sorry for not taking this into consideration when we ran the press conference,” the event’s organizing body said in a statement.





Protestors in Japan fly the Rising Sun flag as they march against the comfort women agreement in January, 2016. (Yonhap)