Independence movements and aspirant peoples (Japan)

Flag of Ainu Nation in Northern Japan.
ratio (probably) 2:3.
Searched by Juanjo Gonzalez.
No explanation about symbolism.

Jaume Ollé, 20 September 1996

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The Ainu flag was designed by the late Mr Bikki Sunazawa in 1973.

Cerurean blue stands for sky and sea , white for snow and red for arrow which is running in the snow beneath big Hokkaido's sky .

As a whole, the flag is a symbol of ainu peoples mind and culture which never disappear.
Nozomi Kariyasu, 21 March 1999

From Constituion of independent Republic of the Ryukyus at http://www2.gol.com/users/johnrach/Const.html (link no longer active)

Article Seven:

The national flag of the Republic of Ryukyus is black, red, and white.

divided horizontally
Gvido Pētersons, 16 February 1999

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Flag Proposal (and flag) of Kariyushi Club

image from Wikipedia
image contributed by Chrystian Kretowicz, 8 June 2008

According to the recent survey (2005) about 20-25% of the population of Okinawa and the Ryukyus favor independence from Japan.

One of the leading forces behind that (since 1970) was Ryukyu Independent Party, which became the Kariyushi Club (かりゆしクラブ) in March 2008.

They advocate the creation of the Republic of Ryukyus (琉球独立党) with the flag they describe as:

Sansei Ten'yo-ki (三星天洋旗), literally "the Flag of Three Stars, the Sky and the Ocean". The flag is designed by Nuka (Takehiko Noka). The party also plans to use it as the flag of the Republic, when it gains an independence. Navy and light blue (or 'blue', according to the party) stand for the ocean and the sky on Ryukyu. The white star shows morality and reason. The red star shows pride and passion. The yellow star shows peace and prosperity. The red and yellow stars have white borders, as the party put much faith in morality.

Sources: Wikipedia: Kariyushi Club
www.bekkoame.ne.jp
Chrystian Kretowicz, 8 June 2008

Buraku people (BLL) (Burakumin in Japanese) are specific social group, the lowest caste in Japan. They are not distinct from Japanese in ethnic way: they are offspring of poor people in the Middle Ages, who had to make "unclear works" and still are considered as subordinate class. Buraku means "people from village", because they had to live in separated communities. There is estimated about two million of Buraku people, mostly in south-western Japan. Buraku Liberation League is leftist movement struggling for full citizen rights for Buraku. Their flag is red with black canton bearing red thorn crown and white star.
Jakub Grombíř, 30 October 2008

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The flag is shown on Wikipedia Commons, as contributed by "Kzaral" on 18 January 2008, who adds that "the flag design based on the former BLL flag".
Ivan Sache, 31 October 2008

The former BLL flag is shown on Wikipedia Commons, as contributed by "Kzarai" on 18 January 2008, who labels it "The Crown of Thorns Flag, the Flag of National Levelers Association. Also used as the former flag of Buraku Liberation League." and adds "The flag was designed by Mankichi Saiko, 1923." The flag is black with the crown of thorns and no star.

The National Levelers Association, founded in 1922, was disbanded in 1942. In 1946, it reemerged as the Buraku National Liberation Committee, renamed the Buraku Liberation League in 1955.

Source: Wikipedia: Buraku Liberation League
Ivan Sache, 31 October 2008

There existed another organization named National Union of Buraku Liberation Movement, 1976-2004, which was established under Communist Party of Japan.

The flag was red charged with Crown of Thorns and a star in the canton.
Nozomi Kariyasu, 1 November 2008