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Japan's naval vessels will reportedly fly the flag of the "Rising Sun", the flag of imperial Japan, during the military exercises near South Korea. 

Tokyo had announced that they would be participating in the multinational naval exercises adjacent to Jeju Island next week which aims to counter the proliferation of weapons of mass destruction. 

"The flag will be hoisted in accordance with domestic laws and regulations," Defense Minister Hamada Yasukazu said. 

Japan's stunt with the "Rising Sun" comes in light of recent improving relations between Japan and South Korea. 

The flag has been a point of contention between the two countries for a long time. Seoul has contended that the flag is associated with the Imperial Japanese Army and Navy during World War II.

Read more: S. Korea returns Japan on 'White list' of trading partners

Back in March, South Korea unveiled plans to pay victims of Japan's forced labor during WWII, intending to break a "vicious cycle" in Asian relations and boost ties between the two countries.

Japan and the United States immediately rushed to welcome the announcement, but victims criticized it as it falls well short of their demand for a comprehensive apology from Tokyo and direct compensation from the Japanese corporations implicated.

Foreign Minister Park Jin stated that Seoul's goal is to collect money from key South Korean corporations that benefited from a 1965 reparations agreement with Tokyo and use it to recompense victims.

The hope is that Japan will "positively respond to our major decision today with Japanese companies' voluntary contributions and a comprehensive apology," he added. "I believe that the vicious circle should be broken for the sake of the people at the national interest level."

Read more: South Korea eyes 'complete normalization' of military pact with Japan