Brian - Hi. I follow your work (have a copy of Schoolgirl Confidential!) and I’ve been wanting to get an answer to this particular question for quite a while: WHY does the Japanese Navy use the Imperial flag as it’s ensign? Why not use the flag of Japan? Can you point us to a concise answer or is it a thing too muddy with history and culture for a Westerner to understand?

My father fought in the Pacific theater in the Second World War, was shot down twice, and felt that MacArthur’s plan for democratizing Japan was a good idea, that it was the only hope for its people. So, why the hold-out on the flag? Thank you.