In modern times, are still used, with the tradition of signing the as a good luck charm continuing, though in a limited fashion. The is often shown at international sporting events to support the national Japanese team. The is used for campaigning soldiers, athletes, retirees, transfer students and for friends. In modern Japan, it is given as a present to a person at a send-off party, for athletes, a farewell party for colleagues or transfer students, for graduation and retirement. After natural disasters such as the 2011 Tōhoku Earthquake and tsunami, people commonly write notes on a to show support. The trend of had recently spread to flags of other countries with documented cases of writings on the flag of Brazil, the flag of Canada, the flag of the Czech Republic, the flag of Iran, the flag of Mongolia and the flag of the United States.
