Flag of Japan
countryThe flag of Japan was adopted on August 13, 1999. White field with a centred crimson disc. It uses 2 colours: white and crimson. The official proportions are 2:3.
Basic Flag Information
| Flag Name | Flag of Japan |
|---|---|
| Country | Japan |
| Official Country Name | Japan |
| Capital | Tokyo |
| Continent | Asia |
| Region | Eastern Asia |
| ISO Country Code | JP / JPN |
| Internet Domain | .jp, .みんな |
| Calling Code | +81 |
| Currency | Japanese yen (JPY) |
| National Language(s) | Japanese |
| Demonym | Japanese |
| Area | 377,930 km² |
| Population | 123 million (2025 est.) |
Flag Specifications
| Official Flag Name | Flag of Japan |
|---|---|
| Adopted On | August 13, 1999 |
| First Used | 1870 |
| Current Version Adopted | August 13, 1999 |
| Flag Proportion | 2:3 |
| Flag Shape | Rectangle |
| Number of Colors | 2 |
| Main Colors | White, Crimson |
| Design Type | White field with a centred crimson disc |
| Official Status | Official National Flag |
| Government Authority | Government of Japan |
Flag Color Information
| Color | Appearance | HEX Code | RGB | CMYK |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| White | #FFFFFF | 255, 255, 255 | 0, 0, 0, 0 | |
| Crimson | #BC002D | 188, 0, 45 | 0, 100, 76, 26 |
Flag Design and Symbols
| White colour | Represents purity and honesty |
|---|---|
| Crimson colour | Represents the sun, sincerity and passion |
| Hinomaru | “Circle of the sun” — the sun goddess Amaterasu, from whom the imperial line is traditionally descended, and the name Nippon, “origin of the sun” |
Flag History
| Year / Period | Event |
|---|---|
| 1870 | The design was first used |
| 1999-08-13 | The current flag was officially adopted |
| Present | The flag remains in official use |
| Present | The flag remains in official use |
Flag Dimensions and Construction
| Official Ratio | 2:3 |
|---|---|
| Width | 2 units (hoist) |
| Length | 3 units (fly) |
Japan Flag Usage
| Government Buildings | Yes |
|---|---|
| Schools | Yes |
| Civil Use | Yes |
| Official Ceremonies | Yes |
| Sports Events | Yes |
| National Holidays | Yes |
| Military | Yes |
| Naval Use | Yes |
| Embassies | Yes |
| International Events | Yes |
Other Official Flags of Japan
| Flag Type | Use | Link |
|---|---|---|
| National Flag | National representation | View flag |
| Civil Flag | Used by civilians | View flag |
| State Flag | Used by government | View flag |
| War Flag | Used during military operations | View flag |
| Naval Ensign | Used by the navy | View flag |
| Air Force Flag | Used by the air force | View flag |
| Presidential Standard | Used by the head of state | View flag |
| Royal Standard | Used by the monarch | View flag |
| Historical Flag | Previous national flag | View flag |
Quick Facts About the Flag
| Flag Age | 27 years old as of 2026 |
|---|---|
| Adoption Date | August 13, 1999 |
| Oldest Version | 1870 |
| Flag Nickname | Hinomaru (the circle of the sun) |
| Most Common Color | White |
| Similar Flags | Arkansas, Aruba, Belize |
| Unique Feature | White field with a centred crimson disc |
Other plain field with a central emblem flags
See all
Facts about the Flag of Japan
- The disc was moved to the exact centre in 1999, when a law finally fixed the flag's specification; it had previously sat slightly toward the hoist.
- The same law changed the proportions from 7:10 to 2:3 and set the disc's diameter at three fifths of the flag's height.
- The design is one of the simplest in the world — one shape, two colours — and is frequently cited as the model of good flag design.
- The flag of Japan was officially adopted on August 13, 1999.
- The design is older than its adoption. It was already in use in 1870, 129 years before it was formally made the flag of Japan.
- The flag in its present form is 27 years old as of 2026.
- Design type: White field with a centred crimson disc.
- The flag is known as Hinomaru (the circle of the sun), a name used far more often than the formal "flag of Japan".
- The official proportions are 2:3. It shares that ratio with 82 national flags.
- The flag uses 2 colours: white and crimson.
- The white on the flag stands for purity and honesty.
- The crimson on the flag stands for the sun, sincerity and passion.
- Hinomaru: “Circle of the sun” — the sun goddess Amaterasu, from whom the imperial line is traditionally descended, and the name Nippon, “origin of the sun”.
- The design belongs to the "Plain field with a central emblem" family, shared with 70 other flags in this reference.
- Flags most often confused with it: Arkansas, Aruba and Belize.
- Japan was never colonised. Its imperial line is the oldest continuous hereditary monarchy in the world, and the present constitution took effect in 1947.
- Sumo is the national sport; baseball and football are the most watched.
- The national animal is the green pheasant, the national bird, with the koi as national fish.
Frequently Asked Questions about the Flag of Japan
When was the flag of Japan adopted?
The flag of Japan was officially adopted on August 13, 1999, though the design had already been in use since 1870.
What do the colours of the flag of Japan mean?
White for purity and honesty and crimson for the sun, sincerity and passion.
When did Japan gain independence?
Japan was never colonised. Its imperial line is the oldest continuous hereditary monarchy in the world, and the present constitution took effect in 1947.
What is the national sport of Japan?
Sumo is the national sport; baseball and football are the most watched.
What do the symbols on the flag of Japan represent?
Hinomaru — “Circle of the sun” — the sun goddess Amaterasu, from whom the imperial line is traditionally descended, and the name Nippon, “origin of the sun”.
What are the proportions of the flag of Japan?
The official ratio is 2:3, which makes the flag rectangular. It shares those proportions with 82 national flags.
What is the national anthem of Japan?
The national anthem is "Kimigayo, whose lyrics are a poem from the ninth century".
When is the national day of Japan?
It falls on 11 February, National Foundation Day, and the flag is flown across the country.
What is the national animal of Japan?
The national animal is the green pheasant, the national bird, with the koi as national fish.
What is the capital of Japan?
The capital is Tokyo. The currency is the Japanese yen (JPY) and the language spoken is Japanese.