The Secret History Behind Japan's Flag

Japan's flag is a red sun on a white field — and it only became the official flag by law in 1999.

The design is called the Nisshōki, "flag of the sun", though almost everyone in Japan calls it the Hinomaru, "circle of the sun". It had represented Japan since 1870, but it was the Act on National Flag and Anthem, in force on August 13, 1999, that finally made it official in law.

The date printed on every Japan design in our catalog, February 11, 660 BCE, is the traditional date of National Foundation Day, which commemorates the start of the reign of Jimmu, Japan's legendary first emperor.

One red circle, one white field, and a foundation date that reaches back further than almost any other on Earth.

See the Japan Rising Sun Tee → · Browse the East Asia collection → — or explore the story behind any other country's flag on our free Flag Story Cards page.