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Japanese flag in the blue sky. Photo by Vera Kratochvil on

14 Sensational Facts about the Japanese Flag

The National Flag of Japan is a rectangular white banner bearing a crimson red circle at its center. The Flag is officially called the Nisshoki.

The Japanese Flag is designed as the National Flag in the Act on National Flag and Anthem, which was made known and became official In August 13, 1999.

Learn more about the Japanese Flag in these 14 sensational facts.

1. The Official Name of the Flag of Japanese is Nisshoki

The Flag is called Nisshoki, meaning Flag of the sun. It is commonly known in Japan as the Hinomaru (circle of the sun).

The sun plays an important role in Japanese mythology and religion as the emperor is said to be the direct descendant of the sun goddess Amaterasu. The legitimacy of the ruling house rested on this divine appointment and descent from the chief deity of the predominant Shinto religion.

The design of the Flag and the name of the country reflect the central importance of the sun. In ancient history, Shoku Nihongl stated that emperor Monmu used a flag representing the sun in his court in 701, which was the first recorded use of a sun flag in Japan.

2. The Japanese Flag is Displayed All Day

According to the government of Japan protocols, the Flag may be flown from sunrise until sunset. Schools and businesses are permitted to pass from opening to closing.

For instance, when flying the Flag of Japan and other country at the same time in Japan, the Japanese Flag takes the position of honor and the Flag of the guest country flies to its right. Both the flags should be of equal size and the same height.

When more than one foreign Flag is displayed, Japan’s Flag is arranged in alphabetical order prescribed by the United Nations. When the Japanese Flag becomes unsuitable, it is customarily burned in private.

3. The Largest Japanese Flag

The largest national Flag in Japan is located at the Izumo shrine in Shimane prefecture. The Flag measures 9*13.6 meters, 47 meters in the air and weighs49 kilograms.

 The Flag is no longer officially used by the government of Japan because of its aggressive and imperialistic connotation, and the rising sun flag was adopted in 1870.

The Flag continues to be used on commercial packaging and by the Japanese defense force. Still, it is considered offensive to countries with anti-japanese solid sentiments, especially China and South Korea.

4. When the Flag was Introduced, Japanese Citizen Protested against it

Japanese Flag. Photo by Stephan Hubsc on

When the Flag was first introduced, it required its citizen to greet the emperor with the Flag. Some Japanese resented the Flag leading to some protests.

It took a while for the Flag to gain acceptance among the people before World War II homes were required to display Hinomaru on national holidays.

After World War II, the display of Japan flag was mainly limited to buildings attached to national and local government, such as city halls.

The Japanese Flag is rarely displayed in private homes or commercial buildings, although some companies and people have advocated displaying the Flag on holidays.

The government of Japan encourages citizens and residents to fly the Flag during the national holiday, and they are not legally required to do so.

The Kyushu Railway Company has displayed the Hinomaru at 330 stations since the emperor’s 80th birthday In December 23, 2002.

5. The Japanese Flag is Used in Two Styles During Mourning

The Japanese Flag has two mourning styles. One, it can be displayed at half-staff, commonly used in many countries. The ministry of foreign affairs office also hoists the Flag at half-staff during the funeral of a foreign nation’s head of state.

The other method is to wrap the spherical finial with black cloth that places a black ribbon known as a mourning flag above the Flag.

This style dates back to the death o emperor Meiji In July 30, 1912, and the cabinet issued an ordinance stipulating that the National Flag should be raised in mourning when the emperor dies.

The cabinet has the authority to announce the half-staffing of the National Flag.

6. The Japanese Flag was Officially Adopted in 1999

The Law Regarding the National Flag and National Anthem was passed In August 13, 1999, making Hinomaru and Kimigayo national symbols in Japan.

In 2000 prime minister Keizo Obuchi of the liberal democratic party (LDP) decided to draft legislation to make Hinomaru and Kimigayo an official symbol of Japan.

7. The Flag has Specific Manufacturing Guidelines

Japanese Flag. Photo by Stephan Hubsc on Wikimedia

In 1973 the Japan Defense Agency (now the Ministry of Defense) specification lost the red color of the Flag as 5R 4/12 and white as N9 in the Munsell color chat.

Changes were made to the document In march 21, 2008, to match the construction of the flag with current legislation and update the Munsell colors.

The document lists acrylics fiber and nylon as fibers that could be used in the construction of flags used by the military. For acrylic, the red color is 5.7 R, 3.7/15.5 and white is N9.4; nylon has 62R 4/15.2 for red and N9.2 for white.

The color of Hinomaru and the Official Development Assistance (ODA) is listed ad DIC 156 and CMYK 0-100-90-0 as listed in an issued document by ODA.

8. Japanese Oldest Flag

The oldest Japanese Flag is in Yamanashi prefecture at Unpo-Ji temple in Koshu. The Flag dates back to 16th-century legends. According to legend, it was offered to the temple by the emperor Go-Reizel in the 11th century.

9. The First Use of the Japanese Flag

In 701 is documented as the first time to use the Japanese history flag was mentioned in the Shoku Nihongin. This classical Japanese history text credited emperor Mommu with the flag’s use.

The Japanese government didn’t officially adopt the Flag until 1999, after the law’s signing regarding the national Flag and national anthem.

10. The Dimension of the National Flag

Sheet on how to make the Japanese flag. Photo by Zscout370 on

The Japanese Flag has a specific dimension to be adhered to during its manufacturing process. The length and height must be at a ratio of 3:2. The red circle must be exactly centered and 3/5 of the Flag’s width.

11. The Flag is Used as Hachimaki

Hachimaki is a white headband with the red sun in the middle and phrases are usually written on it. The wearer wore the headband as a symbol of perseverance, effort, and courage.

During World War II, phrases of victory or seven lives were written on the Hachimaki worn by Kamikeze pilots. It shows the pilot was ready to die for his country. Hachimaki was worn on many occasions, including in sports, women’s glory birth and many more.

12. The Meaning of the Flag Colors

The color of Hinomaru is not just a simple red but crimson and white. The white represents purity and honesty and crimson is sincerity and passion.

13. The was Another Flag with a Red Disc

Another flag with a red disc centered with 16 sun rays was used by the Japanese Navy from October 7, 1889.

14. Hinomaru Bento

A bento and Makunouchi are types of Japanese lunch boxes and can have Hinomura rice. It consists of gohan (steamed white rice) with red umeboshi (dried umo) in the centre to represent the sun and the Flag of Japan.