Flag of Japan

The design consists of a rectangular white field featuring a large, solid red disc positioned in the geometric center. This circular charge is the sole element on the banner, which maintains a standard 2:3 width-to-length ratio.

Known as the Hinomaru, or 'circle of the sun,' the central red disc symbolizes the sun and its role as a source of life and energy. The surrounding white field represents the virtues of honesty, integrity, and purity in Japanese culture. This solar icon references the country's geographic position to the east of the Asian continent and the legendary lineage of the Imperial family, who are traditionally said to be descended from the sun goddess Amaterasu.

While the sun disc motif dates back to the 12th-century Genpei War, the current design was formally codified by the Law Regarding the National Flag and National Anthem on August 13, 1999. This legislation standardized the 2:3 ratio and centered the disc, replacing the 1870 Proclamation No. 57 that had previously specified a 7:10 ratio for merchant vessels. During the Meiji Restoration, the flag became a symbol of national identity as Japan transitioned from a feudal shogunate to a modern state.