The Naha Municipal Government has told its employees to take to the streets and wave the Hinomaru flag when Emperor Akihito and Empress Michiko visit Okinawa Prefecture this week, sources said Tuesday.
Chikashi Matsumoto, chief of the city's administrative department, sent a document to the heads of other departments instructing them to mobilize 20 employees both Friday and Saturday to wave the flag at an intersection at the center of the city when the motorcade passes.
The department heads were told in the document to submit the names of the flag-waving employees to the administrative department.
Masahi Taira, head of a local government labor union, said: "We have strong reservations about the employees being mobilized for flag-waving for the occasion. It certainly raises issues concerning freedom of thought."
The city said the order came from Naha Mayor Takeshi Onaga, head of the Okinawa mayors' association. The prefectural commerce and industry association will prepare the flags, it said.
The Imperial system and national flag remain sensitive subjects, especially in Okinawa, due to their association with Japan's past militarism and the bloody battle here.
Battle of Okinawa was one of the bloodiest Pacific confrontations during World War II. More than 200,000 people died during the battle, including more than 14,000 U.S. soldiers and roughly one-third of the 450,000 people in Okinawa at the time.
The Hinomaru was recognized as Japan's national flag in August 1999, and "Kimigayo," unofficially translated as "His Majesty's Reign," was recognized as the anthem.
The Imperial Couple will visit Okinawa for four days beginning Friday. The trip includes their first visit to Miyakojima and Ishigakijima islands in the prefecture, the Imperial Household Agency said.