Japan has expressed regret South Korea hoisted a flag that represents Korea's ancient naval forces at this week's 2018 Jeju International Fleet Review.
Japanese broadcaster NHK reported Friday that Tokyo's foreign ministry complained to South Korea over its hoisting of 'Sujagi', a flag that represents Korea's greatest commander, Yi Sun-shin, who fought successful battles against Japan in the 16th century.
Japan said South Korea told them the participating countries could only hoist their national flags and the host country's flag, Taegeukgi.
Thus, Tokyo says the hoisting of the Sujagi flag contradicts what Seoul had told them.
Seoul had asked Japan not to hoist the Rising Sun flag, which is viewed as an emblem of Japan's wartime aggression and imperialism.
Japan, refusing to not hoist the flag, ended up not participating in the event.