that is actually the manji symbol,( atleast thats what I think it is called) in japan it means good luck, Hitler took this symbol and made his own variation of it for the nazis. More dense people only recognize it as the nazi symobl because of its symbolism as a figure of mankind's most horrific tragedy. "Oh its a plus sign with parts sticking out of its lines at an inverted angle it must be the nazi symbol!"
I think it's just far more likely that people would know about the enemy's symbol from the most prodominantly discussed war in western schools than a japanese symbol that hardly ever even appears in raw manga or games.
Of course it's always best to know the truth but few people would ever read up on such things.
Bogger said: that is actually the manji symbol,( atleast thats what I think it is called) in japan it means good luck, Hitler took this symbol and made his own variation of it for the nazis.
Slight nitpick but the swastika was around long before it reached japan(not sure if you were implying if it came from japan or not).
To my knowledge, the swastika was actually used by the FAF (Finland's Air Force) since 1918 or so, where Hitler then took that to his own use for the Nazi's... Might be wrong though, but that is my thought.
The swastika symbol has been found on carvings from the early indus valley civilization and earlier. It was exported a bit with buddism into china, japan etc. India also happens to be where aryans are from. Even in europe you can find its used long before the 20th century.
Interesting note: similar symbols have also been found in the old American civilizations, I believe a lot of people used it, or a variation of it as a symbol for the sun. I can't remember exactly though. Groups known to use the symbol at one point: Hindus, Buddhists, Jains, Greeks, south-western Native Americans, Christians (on occasion), and various ancient European groups. Now you can stop always imagining Nazis when you see it and start thinking of people chanting and praying ... do it... you know you wanna.
The Celts used it too, and a few groups in the Caucasus region had a version of it. The crooked cross used to be used to be a really popular symbol. Darned Nazis ruin everything.