Adoption of Japan's Flag

Date: February 27, 1870 • Location: Tokyo, Japan

The current flag of Japan was first adopted as a civil ensign for Japanese merchant ships.

The national flag of Japan is a rectangular white banner with a red circle at its center. The flag is officially called the Nisshōki , but is more commonly known in Japan as the Hinomaru . It embodies the country's sobriquet: the Land of the Rising Sun.