Editing Flag of Japan (section)

==Related flags==
{{main|List of Japanese flags}}

===Military flags===
{{See also|Rising Sun Flag}}
[[File:The Illustration of the Siberian War, No. 9, The Japanese army occupied Habalofsk (LOC ppmsca.08212).jpg|thumb|An illustration of the Japanese army occupying [[Khabarovsk]], 1920. Both {{transliteration|ja|Hinomaru}} and the Rising Sun Flag (in background) are depicted.]]
The [[Japan Self-Defense Forces]] (JSDF) and the [[Japan Ground Self-Defense Force]] use the Rising Sun Flag with eight red rays extending outward, called {{nihongo||八条旭日旗|Hachijō-Kyokujitsuki}}. A gold border is situated partially around the edge.<ref name="law.e-gov">{{harvnb|自衛隊法施行令}}</ref>

A well-known variant of the sun disc design is the sun disc with 16 red rays in a [[Siemens star]] formation, which was also historically used by Japan's military, particularly the [[Imperial Japanese Army]] and the [[Imperial Japanese Navy]]. The ensign, known in Japanese as the {{nihongo||十六条旭日旗|Jyūrokujō-Kyokujitsuki}}, was first adopted as the [[war flag]] on 15 May 1870, and was used until the end of World War II in 1945. It was re-adopted on 30 June 1954, and is now used as the war flag and naval ensign of the Japan Ground Self-Defense Force (JGSDF) and the [[Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force]] (JMSDF).<ref name="law.e-gov" /> [[Japan Self-Defense Forces|JSDF]] Chief of Staff [[Katsutoshi Kawano]] said the Rising Sun Flag is the Maritime Self-Defense Force sailors' "pride".<ref name="msdf-flag-pride">{{Cite news|url=http://www.asahi.com/ajw/articles/AJ201810060024.html|title=Japan to skip S. Korea fleet event over 'rising sun' flag|date=6 October 2018|work=The Asahi Shimbun|access-date=7 October 2018| language=en-US| archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181006141833/http://www.asahi.com/ajw/articles/AJ201810060024.html | archive-date=6 October 2018 | url-status=live}}</ref> Due to its continued use by the Imperial Japanese Army, this flag carries the negative connotation similar to the Nazi flag in China and Korea.<ref name="xinhua060811">{{vcite news |url=http://news.xinhuanet.com/society/2006-08/11/content_4949629.htm |title=赵薇欲代言抗日网游洗刷"军旗装事件"之辱(图) |trans_title=Zhao Wei wishes to endorse the anti-Japanese gaming scrubbing |work=[[Xinhua]] |author=国际, 在线 |date=11 August 2006 |access-date=25 January 2008 |language=Chinese |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080707051134/http://news.xinhuanet.com/society/2006-08/11/content_4949629.htm |archive-date=7 July 2008 |df= }}</ref> These formerly colonized countries state that this flag is a symbol of Japanese imperialism during World War II, and was an ongoing conflict event for the 2020 Tokyo Olympics. The JMSDF also employs the use of a [[masthead pennant]]. First adopted in 1914 and readopted in 1965, the masthead pennant contains a simplified version of the naval ensign at the hoist end, with the rest of the pennant colored white. The ratio of the pennant is between 1:40 and 1:90.<ref>{{Harvnb|海上自衛隊旗章規則}}</ref>

The [[Japan Air Self-Defense Force]] (JASDF), established independently in 1952, has only the plain sun disc as its emblem.<ref>{{Harvnb|〇海上自衛隊の使用する航空機の分類等及び塗粧標準等に 関する達}}</ref> This is the only branch of service with an emblem that does not invoke the rayed Imperial Standard. However, the branch does have an [[Ensign (flag)|ensign]] to fly on bases and during parades. The Japan Air Self-Defense Force flag was first adopted in 1955 after the JASDF was created in 1954. The flag is cobalt blue with a gold winged eagle on top of a combined star, the moon, the {{transliteration|ja|Hinomaru}} sun disc and clouds.<ref>{{Harvnb|自衛隊の旗に関する訓令}}</ref><ref>桜星の数はかつての陸上自衛隊と同様、階級ではなく部隊規模を示していた。</ref> The latest version of the JASDF flag was re-adopted on 19 March 2001.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.crwflags.com/FOTW/flags/jp^asdf.html |title=Air Self Defense Force (Japan) |website=CRW Flags |access-date=26 October 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160315210107/https://www.crwflags.com/FOTW/flags/jp%5Easdf.html |archive-date=15 March 2016 |url-status=live}}</ref>{{Unreliable source|date=February 2025}}

Although not an official national flag, the [[Z flag|Z signal flag]] played a major role in Japanese naval history. On 27 May 1905, Admiral [[Tōgō Heihachirō|Heihachirō Tōgō]] of the {{transliteration|ja|[[Japanese battleship Mikasa|Mikasa]]}} was preparing to engage the [[Baltic Fleet|Russian Baltic Fleet]]. Before the [[Battle of Tsushima]] began, Togo raised the Z flag on the {{transliteration|ja|Mikasa}} and engaged the Russian fleet, winning the battle for Japan. The raising of the flag said to the crew the following: "The fate of Imperial Japan hangs on this one battle; all hands will exert themselves and do their best." The Z flag was also raised on the aircraft carrier {{transliteration|ja|[[Japanese aircraft carrier Akagi|Akagi]]}} on the eve of Japan's attack on [[Pearl Harbor]], [[Hawaii]], in December 1941.<ref>{{Harvnb|Carpenter|2004|p=124}}</ref>

<gallery class="8" heights="180" widths="180">
File:War flag of the Imperial Japanese Army (1868-1945).svg|{{FIAV|001000}} {{FIAV|historical}} Pre-WWII [[Rising Sun Flag|war flag]] of the [[Imperial Japanese Army]] (1868–1945) {{nihongo||十六条旭日旗}}
File:Naval ensign of the Empire of Japan.svg|{{FIAV|000001}} {{FIAV|historical}} Pre-WWII flag of the [[Imperial Japanese Navy]] (1889–1945)
File:Flag of JSDF.svg|{{FIAV|001000}} {{FIAV|normal}} Post WWII flag of the [[Japan Ground Self-Defense Force]] {{nihongo||八条旭日旗}}
File:Naval Ensign of Japan.svg|{{FIAV|000001}} {{FIAV|normal}} Post WWII flag of the [[Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force]] (1954–present) {{nihongo||十六条旭日旗}}
File:Flag of the Japan Air Self-Defense Force.svg|{{FIAV|normal}} Post WWII flag of the [[Japan Air Self-Defense Force]] (JASDF)
File:Roundel of Japan (1943).svg|Pre-WWII [[roundel]] (military aircraft insignia) of Navy and Army military aircraft
File:Roundel of Japan.svg|Post WWII roundel of the JASDF
</gallery>

===Imperial flags===
[[File:Flag of the Japanese Emperor.svg|thumb|alt=A golden flower centered on a red background|{{FIAV|normal}} The standard of the Japanese Emperor]]

Beginning in 1870, flags were created for the Japanese Emperor (then [[Emperor Meiji]]), the Empress, and other members of the imperial family.<ref name="Fujitani 1996 48-49">{{Harvnb|Fujitani|1996|pp=48–49}}</ref> At first, the Emperor's flag was ornate, with a sun resting in the center of an artistic pattern. He had flags that were used on land, at sea, and when he was in a carriage. The imperial family was also granted flags to be used at sea and while on land (one for use on foot and one carriage flag). The carriage flags were a monocolored [[chrysanthemum]], with 16 petals, placed in the center of a monocolored background.<ref name="reg651" /> These flags were discarded in 1889 when the Emperor decided to use the chrysanthemum on a red background as his flag. With minor changes in the color shades and proportions, the flags adopted in 1889 are still in use by the imperial family.<ref>{{Harvnb|Matoba|1901|pp=180–181}}</ref><ref>{{Harvnb|Takahashi|1903|pp=180–181}}</ref>

The current Emperor's flag is a {{nihongo|16-petal chrysanthemum|菊花紋|Kikkamon}}, colored in gold, centered on a red background with a 2:3 ratio. The Empress uses the same flag, except the shape is that of a swallow tail. The crown prince and the crown princess use the same flags, except with a smaller chrysanthemum and a white border in the middle of the flags.<ref name="impja">{{vcite web |url=http://homepage1.nifty.com/gyouseinet/kenpou/koushitsu/koushitsugiseirei.htm |title=皇室儀制令 |trans_title=Imperial System |language=Japanese |access-date=2 December 2007 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081208161723/http://homepage1.nifty.com/gyouseinet/kenpou/koushitsu/koushitsugiseirei.htm |archive-date=8 December 2008 |df= }}</ref> The chrysanthemum has been associated with the Imperial throne since the rule of [[Emperor Go-Toba]] in the 12th century, but it did not become the exclusive [[Imperial Seal of Japan|symbol of the Imperial throne]] until 1868.<ref name="Fujitani 1996 48-49" />

===Subnational flags===
[[File:Japanese flags in Okinawa.jpg|thumb|alt=Three flags fly in the sky.|The national flag flying with the flags of [[Okinawa Prefecture]] and [[Urasoe, Okinawa|Urasoe City]]]]

Each of the [[Prefectures of Japan|47 prefectures]] of Japan has its [[Flags of Japanese prefectures|own flag]] which, like the national flag, consists of a symbol – called a {{transliteration|ja|[[mon (badge)|mon]]}} – charged upon a monocolored field (except for [[Ehime Prefecture]], where the background is bicolored).<ref>{{vcite web|url=http://www.pref.ehime.jp/shokai/sinboru.html |title=愛媛県のシンボル |trans_title=Symbols of Ehime Prefecture |access-date=3 January 2010 |date=2009 |publisher=Government of Ehime Prefecture |language=Japanese |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080109163141/http://www.pref.ehime.jp/shokai/sinboru.html |archive-date=9 January 2008 }}</ref> There are several prefecture flags, such as [[Hiroshima]]'s, that match their specifications to the national flag (2:3 ratio, {{transliteration|ja|mon}} placed in the center and is {{frac|3|5}} the length of the flag).<ref>{{Harvnb|広島県県章および県旗の制定}}</ref> Some of the {{transliteration|ja|mon}} display the name of the prefecture in [[Japanese writing system|Japanese characters]]; others are stylized depictions of the location or another special feature of the prefecture. An example of a prefectural flag is that of [[Nagano Prefecture|Nagano]], where the orange {{transliteration|ja|[[katakana]]}} character {{nihongo||ナ|na}} appears in the center of a white disc. One interpretation of the {{transliteration|ja|mon}} is that the {{transliteration|ja|na}} symbol represents a mountain and the white disc, a lake. The orange color represents the sun while the white color represents the snow of the region.<ref name="naganogov">{{vcite web |url=http://www.pref.nagano.jp/soumu/koho/kensho/top.htm |title=長野県の県章&nbsp;– 県旗 |trans_title=Flag and Emblem of Nagano Prefecture |publisher=Government of Nagano Prefecture |language=Japanese |year=2006 |access-date=2 December 2007 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070918075217/http://www.pref.nagano.jp/soumu/koho/kensho/top.htm |archive-date=18 September 2007 |df= }}</ref>

[[Municipalities of Japan|Municipalities]] can also adopt flags of their own. The designs of the city flags are similar to the prefectural flags: a {{transliteration|ja|mon}} on a monocolored background. An example is the flag of [[Amakusa, Kumamoto|Amakusa]] in [[Kumamoto Prefecture]]: the city symbol is composed of the {{transliteration|ja|katakana}} character {{nihongo||ア|a}}✓and surrounded by waves.<ref>{{Harvnb|天草市章}}</ref> This symbol is centered on a white flag, with a ratio of 2:3.<ref name='amakusaflag'>{{Harvnb|天草市旗}}</ref> Both the city emblem and the flag were adopted in 2006.<ref name='amakusaflag' />

===Derivatives===
[[File:Japanese postal flag, 1872-1887.svg|thumb|{{FIAV|historical}} Former Japan Post flag (1872–1887)]]
[[File:Flag of Evenks.svg|thumb|The flag of the Association of [[Evenks]] in the [[Sakha Republic]] composites the Flag of Japan and other elements.{{Citation needed|date=August 2024}}]]

In addition to the flags used by the military, several other flag designs were inspired by the national flag. The former [[Japan Post]] flag consisted of the {{transliteration|ja|Hinomaru}} with a red horizontal bar placed in the center of the flag. There was also a thin white ring around the red sun. It was later replaced by a flag that consisted of the [[Japan postal mark|〒 postal mark]] in red on a white background.<ref>{{vcite web |url=http://www.teipark.jp/display/museum_shozou/museum_shozou_20.html |title=郵便のマーク |access-date=6 February 2010 |publisher=Communications Museum "Tei Park" |language=Japanese |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130102195822/http://www.teipark.jp/display/museum_shozou/museum_shozou_20.html |archive-date=2 January 2013 |df= }}</ref>

Two recently-designed national flags resemble the Japanese flag. In 1971, [[Bangladesh]] gained independence from [[Pakistan]], and [[Flag of Bangladesh|it adopted a national flag]] that had a green background, charged with an off-centered red disc that contained a golden map of Bangladesh. The current flag, adopted in 1972, dropped the golden map and kept everything else. The Government of Bangladesh officially calls the red disc a circle;<ref>{{vcite web |url=http://www.pmo.gov.bd/pmolib/legalms/pdf/national-flag-rules.pdf |title=People's Republic of Bangladesh Flag Rules (1972) |access-date=13 January 2010 |date=2005–2007 |format=PDF |publisher=Prime Minister's Office, People's Republic of Bangladesh |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100714115242/http://www.pmo.gov.bd/pmolib/legalms/pdf/national-flag-rules.pdf |archive-date=14 July 2010 |df= }}</ref> the red color symbolizes the blood that was shed to create their country.<ref name='bdembassy'>{{vcite web |url=http://www.bangladeshembassy.nl/page.php?page_id=3 |title=Facts and Figures |access-date=13 January 2010 |publisher=Embassy of Bangladesh in the Netherlands |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110724145237/http://www.bangladeshembassy.nl/page.php?page_id=3 |archive-date=24 July 2011 |df= }}</ref> The island nation of [[Palau]] uses a flag of similar design, but the color scheme is completely different. While the Government of Palau does not cite the Japanese flag as an influence on their national flag, Japan did administer Palau from 1914 until 1944.<ref>{{vcite journal|title=The International Political Economy of Pacific Islands Flags of Convenience|journal=Australia-Asia|date=|author=Van Fossen, Anthony B.; Centre for the Study of Australia-Asia Relations, Faculty of Asian and International Studies, Griffith University|volume=66|issue=69|page=53|id=|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=jWYTAAAAYAAJ&q=Palau+flag|format=|access-date=30 December 2009|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20111214183030/http://books.google.com/books?id=jWYTAAAAYAAJ&q=Palau+flag&dq=Palau+flag&client=firefox-a&cd=3|archive-date=14 December 2011}}</ref> The [[flag of Palau]] is an off-centered golden-yellow [[full moon]] on a sky blue background.<ref>{{vcite web |url=http://www.palaugov.net/PalauGov/AboutPalau/Flag.htm |title=Palau Flag |access-date=13 January 2010 |date=18 July 2008 |publisher=Republic of Palau National Government |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20091113161634/http://www.palaugov.net/PalauGov/AboutPalau/Flag.htm |archive-date=13 November 2009 |df= }}</ref> The moon stands for peace and a young nation while the blue background represents Palau's transition to self-government from 1981 to 1994, when it achieved full independence.<ref>{{Harvnb|Smith|2001|p=73}}</ref>

The Japanese naval ensign also influenced other flag designs. One such flag design is used by the {{transliteration|ja|[[Asahi Shimbun]]}}. At the bottom hoist of the flag, one quarter of the sun is displayed. The [[kanji]] character {{lang|ja|[[:wiktionary:朝|朝]]}} is displayed on the flag, colored white, covering most of the sun. The rays extend from the sun, occurring in a red and white alternating order, culminating in 13 total stripes.<ref>{{Harvnb|Saito|1987|p=53}}</ref><ref>{{Harvnb|Tazagi|2004|p=11}}</ref> The flag is commonly seen at the [[Japanese High School Baseball Championship|National High School Baseball Championship]], as the {{transliteration|ja|Asahi Shimbun}} is a main sponsor of the tournament.<ref>{{harvnb|Mangan|2000|p=213}}</ref> The rank flags and ensigns of the Imperial Japanese Navy also based their designs on the naval ensign.<ref>{{harvnb|Gordon|1915|pp=217–218}}</ref>
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