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Japan

Nippon

by Antonio Maritns

Description

Adopted 5 August 1854, confirmed 27 February 1870.
Mark Sensen - 23 December 1995

The symbol in the centre of the "Hi-no-maru" (the Japanese national flag) is the state "Mon" or emblem. It has been the state symbol of Japan for centuries. The flag became the National Flag following the Meiji Restoration in 1868. It never had rays.
Graham Bartram - 09 November 1998

Flag of Prime Minister

by Calvin Paige Herring

According to Crampton The Complete Guide to Flags, on page 109, the Prime Minister's flag is "Orange with a ring of 15 red and white cherry blossom mon." Was there a change in the design? If so, when and why? Also, does anyone know if the number of cherry blossoms has any particular meaning or symbolism on the flag? Randy Young, 29 January 1999

1870 Merchant flag

The Prime Minister's Proclamation No. 57 issued on January 27 in the 3rd Year
of Neiji (1870):
Regulations of Merchant Ship (abridged)

1. The national flag:
   This shall not be removed and even a ferryboat shall keep it hoisted.
   Hoist it at 8 a.m. every morning and haul it down at sunset every evening.
   In case of non-hoisting of the national flag it is customary of the
international law that no plea is justified it treated as pirates.
2. The dimensions of the national flag:
   The ratio of the hoist and fly 7:10.
   The diameter os the disc: three fifth of the hoist length of the flag
locating in the center.

Regulated as above for strict observances.

                                        Ministry of Home Affairs
                                        Ministry of Foreign Affairs

Source: Japanese National flag - Japanese National symbol Marks. Tokyo: Kokki Kyokai (National Flag Association), circa 1970. p. 3.

Jos Poels - 18 January 1996