27 February 1868; 157 years ago (1868-02-27)[a] (civil ensign)
13 August 1999; 25 years ago (1999-08-13)[b] (national flag)
Design
A crimson disc centered on a white field
Thenational flag ofJapan is a rectangular white banner with a red circle at its center. The flag is officially called theNisshōki (日章旗, 'flag of the sun') but is more commonly known in Japan as theHinomaru (日の丸, 'ball of the sun'). It embodies the country'ssobriquet: theLand of the Rising Sun.
TheNisshōki flag is designated as the national flag in theAct on National Flag and Anthem, which was promulgated and became effective on 13 August 1999. Although no earlier legislation had specified a national flag, the sun-disc flag had already become thede facto national flag of Japan. Two proclamations issued in 1870 by theDaijō-kan, the governmental body of the earlyMeiji period, each had a provision for a design of the national flag. A sun-disc flag was adopted as the national flag for merchant ships under Proclamation No. 57 of Meiji 3 (issued on 27 January 1870),[1] and as the nationalflag used by the Navy under Proclamation No. 651 of Meiji 3 (issued on 3 October 1870).[2] Use of theHinomaru was severely restricted during the early years of theAllied occupation of Japan afterWorld War II; these restrictions were later relaxed.
The sun plays an important role inJapanese mythology and religion, as theEmperor is said to be thedirect descendant of theShinto sun goddessAmaterasu, and the legitimacy of theruling house rested on this divine appointment. Thename of the country as well as the design of the flag reflect this central importance of the sun. The ancient historyShoku Nihongi says thatEmperor Monmu used a flag representing the sun in his court in 701, the first recorded use of a sun-motif flag in Japan.[3][4] The oldest existing flag is preserved in Unpō-ji temple,Kōshū, Yamanashi, which is older than the 16th century, and an ancient legend says that the flag was given to the temple byEmperor Go-Reizei in the 11th century.[5][6][7] During theMeiji Restoration, the sun disc and theRising Sun Ensign of theImperial Japanese Navy andArmy became major symbols in the emergingJapanese Empire. Propaganda posters, textbooks, and films depicted the flag as a source of pride and patriotism. In Japanese homes, citizens were required to display the flag during national holidays, celebrations and other occasions as decreed by the government. Different tokens of devotion to Japan and its Emperor featuring theHinomaru motif became popular among the public during theSecond Sino-Japanese War and other conflicts. These tokens ranged from slogans written on the flag to clothing items and dishes that resembled the flag.
Public perception of the national flag varies. Historically, both Western and Japanese sources have described the flag as a powerful and enduring symbol to the Japanese. Since the end of World War II (thePacific War), the use of the flag and the national anthemKimigayo has been a contentious issue for Japan's public schools, and disputes about their use have led to protests and lawsuits. Severalmilitary banners of Japan are based on theHinomaru, including the sunrayed naval ensign. TheHinomaru also serves as a template for other Japanese flags in public and private use.
The exact origin of theHinomaru is unknown,[8] but the rising sun has carried symbolic meaning since the early 7th century. Japan is often referred to as "the land of the rising sun".[9] The Japanese archipelago is east of the Asian mainland, and is thus where the sun "rises". In 607, an official correspondence that began with "from the Emperor of the rising sun" was sent to the ChineseEmperor Yang of Sui.[10]
During theEastern expedition,Emperor Jimmu's brother Itsuse no Mikoto was killed in a battle against the local chieftain Nagasunehiko ("the long-legged man") in Naniwa (modern-day Osaka).Emperor Jimmu realized, as a descendant of the sun, that he did not want to fight towards the sun (to the east), but to fight from the sun (to the west). The Emperor's clan therefore went to the east side ofKii Peninsula to battle westward. They reachedKumano (orIse) and went towards Yamato. They were victorious at the second battle with Nagasunehiko and conquered theKinki region.[14][15]
The use of the sun-shaped flag was thought to have taken place since the emperor's direct imperial rule (親政) was established after theIsshi Incident in 645 (first year of theTaika).[16]
The Japanese history textShoku Nihongi, completed in 797, has the first recorded use of the sun-motif flag byEmperor Monmu'sChōga (朝賀, 'new year's greetings ceremony') in 701 (the first year of theTaihō era).[3][4] For the decoration of the ceremony hall on New Year's Day theNissho (日像, 'the flag with the golden sun') was raised.[3][4]
One prominent theory is influenced by the results of theGenpei War (1180–1185).[17] Until theHeian period, the Nishiki flag (錦の御旗,Nishiki no mihata), a symbol of the Imperial Court, had a golden sun circle and a silver moon circle on a red background.[17] At the end of the Heian era, theTaira clan called themselves a government army and used the red flag with a gold circle (赤地金丸) as per the Imperial Court.[17] The Genji (Minamoto clan) were in opposition so they used a white flag with a red circle (白地赤丸) when they fought the Genpei War (1180–1185).[17] When the Taira clan was defeated, the samurai government (幕府,bakufu) was formed by the Genji.[17] The warlords who came after such asOda Nobunaga andTokugawa Ieyasu realized they were successors of Genji, and so raised theHinomaru flag in battle.[17]
In the 12th-century workThe Tale of the Heike, it was written that differentsamurai carried drawings of the sun on their fans.[18] One legend related to the national flag is attributed to theBuddhist priestNichiren. Supposedly, during a 13th-centuryMongolian invasion of Japan, Nichiren gave a sun banner to theshōgun to carry into battle.[19]
During theBattle of Nagashino (28 June 1575), Oda Nobunaga and Tokugawa Ieyasu's allied forces foughtTakeda Katsuyori.[17] Both Nobunaga and Ieyasu had their own flags with family crests, but they also held theHinomaru.[17] On the other hand, the Takeda clan side also raised theHinomaru.[17] Therefore, theHinomaru was used as a national symbol.[17]
In the 16th centuryunification period, eachdaimyō had flags that were used primarily in battle. Most of the flags were long banners usually charged with themon (family crest) of thedaimyō lord. Members of the same family would have had different flags to carry into battle. The flags served as identification and were displayed by soldiers on their backs and horses. Generals also had their own flags, most of which differed from soldiers' flags due to their square shape.[21][page needed]
In 1854, during theTokugawa shogunate, Japanese ships were ordered to hoist theHinomaru to distinguish themselves from foreign ships.[18] Before then, different types ofHinomaru flags were used on vessels that were trading with the U.S. and Russia.[8] TheHinomaru was decreed the merchant flag of Japan in 1870 and was the legal national flag from 1870 to 1885, making it the first national flag Japan adopted.[22][23]
While the idea of national symbols was strange to the Japanese, the Meiji Government needed them to communicate with the outside world. This became especially important after the landing of U.S. CommodoreMatthew Perry in Yokohama Bay.[24] Further Meiji Government implementations gave more identifications to Japan, including the anthemKimigayo and the imperial seal.[25] In 1885, all previous laws not published in the Official Gazette of Japan were abolished.[26] Because of this ruling by the new cabinet of Japan, theHinomaru was thede facto national flag since no law was in place after theMeiji Restoration.[27]
1930s photo of a military enrollment. TheHinomaru displayed on a house and held by several children.Propaganda poster promoting harmony amongJapanese,Chinese, andManchu. The caption in Chinese (read right to left) reads "With the cooperation of Japan, China, and Manchukuo, the world can be in peace".
The use of the national flag grew as Japan sought to develop an empire, and theHinomaru was present at celebrations after victories in theFirst Sino-Japanese andRusso-Japanese Wars. The flag was also used in war efforts throughout the country.[28] A Japanese propaganda film in 1934 portrayed foreign national flags as incomplete or defective with their designs, while portraying the Japanese flag as perfect in all forms.[29] In 1937, a group of girls fromHiroshima Prefecture showed solidarity with Japanese soldiers fighting in China during theSecond Sino-Japanese War, by eating "flag meals" that consisted of anumeboshi in the middle of a bed of rice. TheHinomarubento became the main symbol of Japan's war mobilization and solidarity with its soldiers until the 1940s.[30]
Japan's early victories in the Sino-Japanese War resulted in theHinomaru again being used for celebrations. It was seen in the hands of every Japanese during parades.[28]
Textbooks during this period also had theHinomaru printed with various slogans expressing devotion to the Emperor and the country. Patriotism was taught as a virtue to Japanese children. Expressions of patriotism, such as displaying the flag or worshiping the Emperor daily, were all part of being a "good Japanese".[31]
The flag was a tool of Japanese imperialism in the occupied Southeast Asian areas during theSecond World War: people had to use the flag,[32] and schoolchildren sangKimigayo in morning flag raising ceremonies.[33] Local flags were allowed for some areas such as thePhilippines,Indonesia, andManchukuo.[34][35][36] InKorea which was part of the Empire of Japan, theHinomaru and other symbols were used to declare that the Koreans were subjects of the empire.[37]
During the Pacific War, Americans coined the derogatory term "meatballs" for theHinomaru and Japanesemilitary aircraft insignia.[38] To the Japanese, theHinomaru was the "Rising Sun flag that would light the darkness of the entire world".[39] To Westerners, it was one of the Japanese military's most powerful symbols.[40]
Left: TheHinomaru is lowered inSeoul, Korea, on 9 September 1945, the day of the surrender.
Right: The civil and naval ensign ofoccupied Japan. TheHinomaru simultaneously remained inde facto use.
TheHinomaru was thede facto flag of Japan throughoutWorld War II and the occupation period.[27] During theoccupation of Japan after World War II, permission from theSupreme Commander of the Allied Powers (SCAPJ) was needed to fly theHinomaru.[41][42] Sources differ on the degree to which the use of theHinomaru flag was restricted; some use the term "banned;"[43][44] however, while the original restrictions were severe, they did not amount to an outright ban.[27]
After World War II, anensign was used by Japanese civil ships of the United States Naval Shipping Control Authority for Japanese Merchant Marines.[45] Modified from the "E"signal code, the ensign was used from September 1945 until the U.S. occupation of Japan ceased.[46] U.S. ships operating in Japanese waters used a modified "O" signal flag as their ensign.[47]
On 2 May 1947, GeneralDouglas MacArthur lifted the restrictions on displaying theHinomaru in the grounds of theNational Diet Building, on theImperial Palace, on thePrime Minister's residence, and on the Supreme Court building with the ratification of the newConstitution of Japan.[48][49] Those restrictions were further relaxed in 1948, when people were allowed to fly the flag on national holidays. In January 1949, the restrictions were abolished and anyone could fly theHinomaru at any time without permission. As a result, schools and homes were encouraged to fly theHinomaru until the early 1950s.[41]
Since World War II, Japan's flag has been criticized for its association with the country'smilitaristic past. Similar objections have also been raised to the current national anthem of Japan,Kimigayo.[20] The feelings about theHinomaru andKimigayo represented a general shift from a patriotic feeling aboutDai Nippon (Great Japan) to the pacifist and anti-militaristNihon. Because of this ideological shift, the flag was used less often in Japan directly after the war even though restrictions were lifted by the SCAPJ in 1949.[42][50]
As Japan began to re-establish itself diplomatically, theHinomaru was used as a political weapon overseas. In a visit byEmperor Hirohito andEmpress Kōjun to theNetherlands, theHinomaru was burned by Dutch citizens who demanded that he either be sent home to Japan or tried for the deaths of Dutchprisoners of war during the Second World War.[51] Domestically, the flag was not even used in protests against a newStatus of Forces Agreement being negotiated between the U.S. and Japan. The most common flag used by the trade unions and other protesters was thered flag of revolt.[52]
An issue with theHinomaru and national anthem was raised once again when Tokyo hosted the1964 Summer Olympic Games. Before the Olympic Games, the size of the sun disc of the national flag was changed partly because the sun disc was not considered striking when it was being flown with other national flags.[42] Tadamasa Fukiura, a color specialist, chose to set the sun disc at two-thirds of the flag's length. Fukiura also chose the flag colors for the 1964 games as well as for the1998 Winter Olympics in Nagano.[53]
In 1989, the death of Emperor Hirohito once again raised moral issues about the national flag. Conservatives felt that if the flag could be used during the ceremonies without reopening old wounds, they might have a chance to propose that theHinomaru become the national flag without being challenged about its meaning.[54] During an official six-day mourning period, flags were flown at half staff or draped in black bunting all across Japan.[55] Despite reports of protesters vandalizing theHinomaru on the day of the Emperor's funeral,[56] schools' right to fly the Japanese flag athalf-staff without reservations brought success to the conservatives.[54]
TheLaw Regarding the National Flag and National Anthem as it appears in the Official Gazette on 13 August 1999
TheLaw Regarding the National Flag and National Anthem was passed in 1999, choosing both theHinomaru andKimigayo as Japan's national symbols. The passage of the law stemmed from the suicide of the principal ofSera High School inSera,Hiroshima, Toshihiro Ishikawa, who could not resolve a dispute between his school board and his teachers over the use of theHinomaru andKimigayo.[57][58] The Act is one of the most controversial laws passed by theDiet since the 1992 "Law Concerning Cooperation for United Nations Peacekeeping Operations and Other Operations", also known as the "International Peace Cooperation Law".[59]
Prime MinisterKeizō Obuchi of theLiberal Democratic Party (LDP) decided to draft legislation to make theHinomaru andKimigayo official symbols of Japan in 2000. HisChief Cabinet Secretary,Hiromu Nonaka, wanted the legislation to be completed by the 10th anniversary of EmperorAkihito'senthronement.[60] This is not the first time legislation was considered for establishing both symbols as official. In 1974, with the backdrop of the 1972 return of Okinawa to Japan and the1973 oil crisis, Prime MinisterKakuei Tanaka hinted at a law being passed enshrining both symbols in the law of Japan.[61] In addition to instructing the schools to teach and playKimigayo, Tanaka wanted students to raise theHinomaru flag in a ceremony every morning, and to adopt a moral curriculum based on certain elements of theImperial Rescript on Education pronounced by theMeiji Emperor in 1890.[62] Tanaka was unsuccessful in passing the law through the Diet that year.[63]
The main supporters of the bill were the LDP and theKomeito (CGP), while the opposition included theSocial Democratic Party (SDPJ) andCommunist Party (JCP), who cited the connotations both symbols had with the war era. The CPJ was further opposed for not allowing the issue to be decided by the public. Meanwhile, theDemocratic Party of Japan (DPJ) could not develop party consensus on it. DPJ President and future prime ministerNaoto Kan stated that the DPJ must support the bill because the party already recognized both symbols as the symbols of Japan.[64] Deputy Secretary General and future prime ministerYukio Hatoyama thought that this bill would cause further divisions among society and the public schools. Hatoyama voted for the bill while Kan voted against it.[60]
Before the vote, there were calls for the bills to be separated at the Diet.Waseda University professor Norihiro Kato stated thatKimigayo is a separate issue more complex than theHinomaru flag.[65] Attempts to designate only theHinomaru as the national flag by the DPJ and other parties during the vote of the bill were rejected by the Diet.[66] The House of Representatives passed the bill on 22 July 1999, by a 403 to 86 vote.[67] The legislation was sent to the House of Councilors on 28 July and was passed on 9 August. It was enacted into law on 13 August.[68]
On 8 August 2009, a photograph was taken at a DPJ rally for theHouse of Representatives election showing a banner that was hanging from a ceiling. The banner was made of twoHinomaru flags cut and sewn together to form the shape of the DPJ logo. This infuriated the LDP and Prime MinisterTarō Asō, saying this act was unforgivable. In response, DPJ President Yukio Hatoyama (who voted for the Law Regarding the National Flag and National Anthem)[60] said that the banner was not theHinomaru and should not be regarded as such.[69]
Passed in 1870, the Prime Minister's Proclamation No. 57 had two provisions related to the national flag. The first provision specified who flew the flag and how it was flown; the second specified how the flag was made.[8] The ratio was seven units width and ten units length (7:10). The red disc, which represents the sun, was calculated to be three-fifths of thehoist width. The law decreed the disc to be in the center, but it was usually placed one-hundredth (1⁄100) towards the hoist.[70][71] (This makes the disc appear centered when the flag is flying; this technique is used in other flags, such as those ofBangladesh andPalau.) On 3 October of the same year, regulations about the design of the merchant ensign and other naval flags were passed.[72] For the merchant flag, the ratio was two units width and three units length (2:3). The size of the disc remained the same, but the sun disc was placed one-twentieth (1⁄20) towards the hoist.[73]
Construction sheet
When theLaw Regarding the National Flag and National Anthem passed, the dimensions of the flag were slightly altered.[74] The overall ratio of the flag was changed to two units width by three units length (2:3). The red disc was shifted towards the center, but the overall size of the disc stayed the same.[75] The background of the flag is white and the center is a red circle (紅色,beni iro), but the exact color shades were not defined in the 1999 law.[74] The only hint given about the red color is that it is a "deep" shade.[76]
Issued by the Japan Defense Agency (now theMinistry of Defense) in 1973 (Shōwa 48), specifications list the red color of the flag as 5R 4/12 and the white as N9 in theMunsell color chart.[77] The document was changed on 21 March 2008 (Heisei 20) to match the flag's construction with current legislation and updated the Munsell colors. The document listsacrylic fiber andnylon as fibers that could be used in construction of flags used by the military. For acrylic, the red color is 5.7R 3.7/15.5 and white is N9.4; nylon has 6.2R 4/15.2 for red and N9.2 for white.[77] In a document issued by theOfficial Development Assistance (ODA), the red color for theHinomaru and the ODA logo is listed asDIC 156 andCMYK 0-100-90-0.[78] During deliberations about theLaw Regarding the National Flag and National Anthem, there was a suggestion to either use a bright red (赤色,aka iro) shade or use one from the color pool of theJapanese Industrial Standards.[79]
An example of the flag being displayed on national holidays on theOsaka Metro
When theHinomaru was first introduced, the government required citizens to greet the Emperor with the flag. There was some resentment among the Japanese over the flag,[why?] resulting in some protests. It took some time for the flag to gain acceptance among the people.[25]
Before World War II, all homes were required to displayHinomaru on national holidays.[27] Since the war, the display of the flag of Japan is mostly limited to buildings attached to national and local governments such as city halls; it is rarely seen at private homes or commercial buildings,[27] but some people and companies have advocated displaying the flag on holidays. Although the government of Japan encourages citizens and residents to fly theHinomaru during national holidays, they are not legally required to do so.[82][83] Sincethe Emperor's 80th birthday on 23 December 2002, theKyushu Railway Company has displayed theHinomaru at 330 stations.[84]
Starting in 1995, the ODA has used theHinomaru motif in their official logo. The design itself was not created by the government (the logo was chosen from 5,000 designs submitted by the public) but the government was trying to increase the visualization of theHinomaru through their aid packages and development programs. According to the ODA, the use of the flag is the most effective way to symbolize aid provided by the Japanese people.[85]
During World War II, it was a popular custom for friends, classmates, and relatives of a deploying soldier to sign aHinomaru and present it to him. The flag was also used as a good luck charm and a prayer to wish the soldier back safely from battle. One term for this kind of charm isHinomaru Yosegaki (日の丸寄せ書き).[86] One tradition is that no writing should touch the sun disc.[87] After battles, these flags were often captured or later found on deceased Japanese soldiers. Some of these flags have become souvenirs,[87] and some have been returned to Japan and the descendants of the deceased.[88]
In modern times, theHinomaru Yosegaki is still being used. The tradition of signing theHinomaru as a good luck charm still continues, though in a limited fashion. TheHinomaru Yosegaki is shown at sporting events to give support to the Japanese national team.[89] TheYosegaki (寄せ書き, group effort flag) is used for campaigning soldiers,[90] athletes, retirees, transfer students in a community and for friends. The colored paper and flag has writing with a message. In modern Japan, it is given as a present to a person at a send-off party, for athletes, a farewell party for colleagues or transfer students, for graduation and retirement. After natural disasters such as the2011 Tōhoku Earthquake and tsunami people write notes on aHinomaru Yosegaki to show support.
Thehachimaki (鉢巻, 'helmet-scarf') is a whiteheadband (bandana) with the red sun in the middle. Phrases are usually written on it. It is worn as a symbol ofperseverance, effort, and/orcourage by the wearer. These are worn on many occasions by for example sports spectators, women giving birth, students incram school, office workers,[91] tradesmen taking pride in their work etc. During World War II, the phrases "Certain Victory" (必勝,Hisshō) or "Seven Lives" was written on thehachimaki and worn bykamikaze pilots. This denoted that the pilot was willing to die for his country.[92]
Bentō andmakunouchi are types of Japanese lunch boxes, which can featureHinomaru rice (日の丸ご飯,Hinomaru gohan). TheHinomaru bentō consists ofgohan (steamed white rice) with a redumeboshi (driedplum) in the center which represents the sun and the flag of Japan. AHinomaru lunch box (日の丸弁当,Hinomaru bentō) only has white rice and a redumeboshi in the center. The salty, vinegar-soakedumeboshi acts as a preservative for the rice. There are alsoHinomaru rice bowls, which are less common.[93]
A flag-waving crowd greet the Imperial Family afterEmperor Naruhito's ascension to the throne at the Imperial Palace, 4 May 2019.
According to polls conducted by mainstream media, most Japanese people had perceived the flag of Japan as the national flag even before the passage of theLaw Regarding the National Flag and National Anthem in 1999.[94] Despite this, controversies surrounding the use of the flag in school events or media still remain. For example, liberal newspapers such as theAsahi Shimbun andMainichi Shimbun often feature articles critical of the flag of Japan, reflecting their readerships' political spectrum.[95] To other Japanese, the flag represents the time where democracy was suppressed whenJapan was an empire.[96]
The display of the national flag at homes and businesses is also debated in Japanese society. Because of its association withuyoku dantai (right wing) activists,reactionary politics, orhooliganism, most homes and businesses do not fly the flag.[27] There is no requirement to fly the flag on any national holiday or special events. The town ofKanazawa, Ishikawa proposed plans in September 2012 to use government funds to buy flags with the purpose of encouraging citizens to fly the flag on national holidays.[97]
Negative perceptions of the national flag exist in former colonies of Japan as well as within Japan itself, such as inOkinawa Prefecture. In one notable example of this, on 26 October 1987, an Okinawan supermarket ownerburned the flag before the start of theNational Sports Festival of Japan.[98] The flag burner, Shōichi Chibana, burned theHinomaru not only to show opposition to atrocities committed by the Japanese army and the continued presence of U.S. forces but also to prevent it from being displayed in public.[99] Other incidents in Okinawa included the flag being torn down during school ceremonies and students refusing to honor the flag as it was being raised to the sounds ofKimigayo.[28] In the capital city ofNaha, Okinawa, theHinomaru was raised for the first time since the return of Okinawa to Japan to celebrate the city's 80th anniversary in 2001.[100] In thePeople's Republic of China andRepublic of Korea, both of which had been occupied by the Empire of Japan, the 1999 formal adoption of theHinomaru was met with reactions of Japan moving towards the right and also a step towards re-militarization. The passage of the 1999 law also coincided with the debates about the status of theYasukuni Shrine, U.S.-Japan military cooperation, and the creation of a missile defense program. In other nations that Japan occupied, the 1999 law was met with mixed reactions or glossed over. In Singapore, the older generation still harbors ill feelings toward the flag while the younger generation does not hold similar views. The Philippine government not only believed that Japan was not going to revert to militarism, but the goal of the 1999 law was to formally establish two symbols (the flag and anthem) in law and every state has a right to create national symbols.[101] Japan has no law criminalizing the burning of theHinomaru, whereas foreign flags cannot be burned in Japan.[102][103]
Diagram published withRegulation 1 from 1912 (Raising Mourning Flag for the Emperor)
According to protocol, the flag may fly from sunrise until sunset; businesses and schools are permitted to fly the flag from opening to closing. When flying the flags of Japan and another country at the same time in Japan, the Japanese flag takes the position of honor and the flag of the guest country flies to its right. Both flags must be at the same height and of equal size. When more than one foreign flag is displayed, Japan's flag is arranged in the alphabetical order prescribed by theUnited Nations.[104] When the flag becomes unsuitable to use, it is customarily burned in private. TheLaw Regarding the National Flag and Anthem does not specify on how the flag should be used, but different prefectures came up with their own regulations to use theHinomaru and other prefectural flags.[105][106]
TheHinomaru flag has at least two mourning styles. One is to display the flag athalf-staff (半旗,han-ki), as is common in many countries. The offices of theMinistry of Foreign Affairs also hoist the flag at half-staff when a funeral is performed for a foreign nation's head of state.[107]
An alternative mourning style is to wrap the sphericalfinial with black cloth and place a black ribbon, known as a mourning flag (弔旗 [ja],chō-ki), above the flag. This style dates back to the death ofEmperor Meiji on 30 July 1912, and the Cabinet issued an ordinance stipulating that the national flag should be raised in mourning when the Emperor dies.[108] The Cabinet has the authority to announce the half-staffing of the national flag.[109]
A graduation ceremony inHokkaido Prefecture with both theHinomaru and the flag of Hokkaido Prefecture. The school's own flag is on a staff to the speakers' right.
Since the end of World War II, theMinistry of Education has issued statements and regulations to promote the usage of both theHinomaru andKimigayo (national anthem) at schools under their jurisdiction. The first of these statements was released in 1950, stating that it was desirable, but not required, to use both symbols. This desire was later expanded to include both symbols on national holidays and during ceremonial events to encourage students on what national holidays are and to promote defense education.[42] In a 1989 reform of the education guidelines, the LDP-controlled government first demanded that the flag must be used in school ceremonies and that proper respect must be given to it and toKimigayo.[110] Punishments for school officials who did not follow this order were also enacted with the 1989 reforms.[42]
The 1999curriculum guideline issued by the Ministry of Education after the passage of theLaw Regarding the National Flag and Anthem decrees that "on entrance and graduation ceremonies, schools must raise the flag of Japan and instruct students to sing theKimigayo, given the significance of the flag and the song."[111] Additionally, the ministry's commentary on the 1999 curriculum guideline for elementary schools note that "given the advance of internationalization, along with fostering patriotism and awareness of being Japanese, it is important to nurture school children's respectful attitude toward the flag of Japan andKimigayo as they grow up to be respected Japanese citizens in an internationalized society."[112] The ministry also stated that if Japanese students cannot respect their own symbols, then they will not be able to respect the symbols of other nations.[113]
Schools have been the center of controversy over both the anthem and the national flag.[43] The Tokyo Board of Education requires the use of both the anthem and flag at events under their jurisdiction. The order requires school teachers to respect both symbols or risk losing their jobs.[114] Some have protested that such rules violate theConstitution of Japan, but the Board has argued that since schools are government agencies, their employees have an obligation to teach their students how to be good Japanese citizens.[20] As a sign of protest, schools refused to display theHinomaru at school graduations and some parents ripped down the flag.[43] Teachers have unsuccessfully brought criminal complaints against Tokyo GovernorShintarō Ishihara and senior officials for ordering teachers to honor theHinomaru andKimigayo.[115] After earlier opposition, theJapan Teachers Union accepts the use of both the flag and anthem; the smaller All Japan Teachers and Staffs Union still opposes both symbols and their use inside the school system.[116]
A well-known variant of the sun disc design is the sun disc with 16 red rays in aSiemens star formation, which was also historically used by Japan's military, particularly theImperial Japanese Army and theImperial Japanese Navy. The ensign, known in Japanese as theJyūrokujō-Kyokujitsuki (十六条旭日旗), was first adopted as thewar 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 theJapan Maritime Self-Defense Force (JMSDF).[117]JSDF Chief of StaffKatsutoshi Kawano said the Rising Sun Flag is the Maritime Self-Defense Force sailors' "pride".[118] 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.[119] 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 amasthead 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.[120]
TheJapan Air Self-Defense Force (JASDF), established independently in 1952, has only the plain sun disc as its emblem.[121] This is the only branch of service with an emblem that does not invoke the rayed Imperial Standard. However, the branch does have anensign 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, theHinomaru sun disc and clouds.[122][123] The latest version of the JASDF flag was re-adopted on 19 March 2001.[124][unreliable source?]
Although not an official national flag, theZ signal flag played a major role in Japanese naval history. On 27 May 1905, AdmiralHeihachirō Tōgō of theMikasa was preparing to engage theRussian Baltic Fleet. Before theBattle of Tsushima began, Togo raised the Z flag on theMikasa 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 carrierAkagi on the eve of Japan's attack onPearl Harbor,Hawaii, in December 1941.[125]
Beginning in 1870, flags were created for the Japanese Emperor (thenEmperor Meiji), the Empress, and other members of the imperial family.[126] 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 monocoloredchrysanthemum, with 16 petals, placed in the center of a monocolored background.[72] 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.[127][128]
The current Emperor's flag is a 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.[129] The chrysanthemum has been associated with the Imperial throne since the rule ofEmperor Go-Toba in the 12th century, but it did not become the exclusivesymbol of the Imperial throne until 1868.[126]
Each of the47 prefectures of Japan has itsown flag which, like the national flag, consists of a symbol – called amon – charged upon a monocolored field (except forEhime Prefecture, where the background is bicolored).[130] There are several prefecture flags, such asHiroshima's, that match their specifications to the national flag (2:3 ratio,mon placed in the center and is3⁄5 the length of the flag).[131] Some of themon display the name of the prefecture inJapanese characters; others are stylized depictions of the location or another special feature of the prefecture. An example of a prefectural flag is that ofNagano, where the orangekatakana characterna (ナ) appears in the center of a white disc. One interpretation of themon is that thena 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.[132]
Municipalities can also adopt flags of their own. The designs of the city flags are similar to the prefectural flags: amon on a monocolored background. An example is the flag ofAmakusa inKumamoto Prefecture: the city symbol is composed of thekatakana charactera (ア)✓and surrounded by waves.[133] This symbol is centered on a white flag, with a ratio of 2:3.[134] Both the city emblem and the flag were adopted in 2006.[134]
Former Japan Post flag (1872–1887)The flag of the Association ofEvenks in theSakha Republic composites the Flag of Japan and other elements.[citation needed]
In addition to the flags used by the military, several other flag designs were inspired by the national flag. The formerJapan Post flag consisted of theHinomaru 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〒 postal mark in red on a white background.[135]
Two recently-designed national flags resemble the Japanese flag. In 1971,Bangladesh gained independence fromPakistan, andit 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;[136] the red color symbolizes the blood that was shed to create their country.[137] The island nation ofPalau 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.[138] Theflag of Palau is an off-centered golden-yellowfull moon on a sky blue background.[139] 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.[140]
The Japanese naval ensign also influenced other flag designs. One such flag design is used by theAsahi Shimbun. At the bottom hoist of the flag, one quarter of the sun is displayed. Thekanji character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.[141][142] The flag is commonly seen at theNational High School Baseball Championship, as theAsahi Shimbun is a main sponsor of the tournament.[143] The rank flags and ensigns of the Imperial Japanese Navy also based their designs on the naval ensign.[144]
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