THE Japanese flag will fly in Brisbane’s Anzac Day march, in a controversial move that’s sure to anger victims of Japanese atrocities in World War II.

The organisers of Queensland’s biggest Anzac Day parade say they have approved the flying of the flag – along with that of former Axis member Italy – as part of the commemorations of Japan’s part in the Gallipoli landings.

While Japan was an ally of Australia during the World War I, its military regime threatened these shores in World War II and mistreated tens of thousands of Australian prisoners of war in concentration camps and the infamous Burma Railway.

The decision to include Japanese and Italian flags for the first time was made by the Combined Anzac Day Planning Committee in consultation with the Queensland Advisory Committee for the Commemoration of the Anzac Centenary.

QACCAC chair, retired RAN Captain Andrew Craig, said it was entirely appropriate for the Japanese and Italian flags to be included in commemorations of the centenary of the Gallipoli landings.

“It’s not our responsibility to rewrite or ignore history, but to recognise its entirety – warts and all.”

Brisbane’s Anzac Day parade is organised by the Combined Anzac Day Parade Committee, which is chaired by the RSL’s South Eastern District.

It includes representatives from the Anzac Day Commemorative Committee, chaired by Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk, the Department of Defence, the Queensland Police Service, Brisbane City Council, and various ex-service groups.

A CADPC spokesman said it was comfortable with the decision, stressing that the flags of all of Australia’s World War I allies would feature in the parade.

Japan’s consul-general in Brisbane, Yoko Yanagisawa, is also dean of the Queensland Consular Corps and will be seated with other VIPs on the saluting dais at King George Square, where Governor Paul de Jersey will review the parade.

Italian and Japanese immigrants in Australia were arrested and held in special internment camps, as were prisoners of war captured overseas.

Mr Craig said QACCAC had considered recognising the roles of all nations in World War I and agreed historical facts needed to be observed.

“The Turkish consul in Brisbane, Mr Turgut Allahmanli, has been an active member of QACCAC since its inception,” he said.

“While Turkey was our foe at Gallipoli, it is an integral part of the Gallipoli story and it is important that its role be included in all centenary commemorations.

“Japan was also an ally, which played a crucial role in getting the Australian Imperial Force to the Middle East, and it should also receive recognition for its part in those historic events.”

“In 1914, Japan had the third-largest navy in the world, and it had recently inflicted a surprise defeat on Russia’s Pacific fleet,” Mr Craig said.

“The Japanese battleship Ibuki was a crucial part of the AIF convoy that sailed from Albany to the Middle East.”

In 1914, the Ibuki passed through Brisbane on its way to escort the convoy carrying the AIF to the Middle East.

While here, the ship’s officers were entertained at the prestigious Queensland Club opposite Parliament House in George Street.

“When HMAS Sydney was diverted to intercept the German navy’s cruiser SMS Emden, Ibuki assumed responsibility for convoy protection,” Mr Craig said.

“It is a little-known story, both in Australia and Japan.”

Surfers Paradise RSL, which flew a Turkish flag on Anzac Day for the first time last year, said they would do so again this year.

Sub-branch president Arch McDonald said they would fly Australian, New Zealand and Turkish flags to mark the Gallipoli centenary, but had no plans to fly a Japanese flag.