Help translating a Japanese WW2 era flag

[henken]

I inherited a Japanese flag from WW2 from a family member. It came with a note from an individual who attempted to translate it previously. I'm hoping someone here can confirm or correct this translation. From left to right: NIPPON | FLAG | MANILLA | JAN 1942

Any help would be appreciated. Thank you.

 

[Majestic]

The translations are correct, but in between Manila and January is the word "Bansai" (should be Banzai).
But the writing is abominable. It was written by someone who is not a native speaker/writer of Japanese (or Chinese). The penmanship is horrible, and some of the letters are wrong (as in Banzai above, but also 1942, and January, and Nihon).

 

[henken]

The translations are correct, but in between Manila and January is the word "Bansai" (should be Banzai).
But the writing is abominable. It was written by someone who is not a native speaker/writer of Japanese (or Chinese). The penmanship is horrible, and some of the letters are wrong (as in Banzai above, but also 1942, and January, and Nihon).

While it's a bummer to learn this isn't a real Japanese flag, I appreciate the insightful reply. Apparently these imitation flags were quite common in the day.

 

[Dentanmono]

Seems weird that a U.S. soldier would want to commemorate the Japanese occupation of Manila which is the reference to Jan 1942. If you want a wild unprovable theory, it might be a pro-Japanese Filipino created flag? Obviously impossible to prove but people like far fetched stories if it helps them claw back the possibility of items being "authentic" haha