List of Japanese flags

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

This is a list of Japanese flags, past and present. Historically, each daimyō had his own flag. (See sashimono and uma-jirushi.)

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National flags

Main article: Flag of Japan
More information Flag, Date ...
FlagDateUseDescription
Since 13 August 1999Civil and state flag and ensign of Japan.Flag ratio: 2:3. This flag was designated by Proclamation No. 127, 1999. The sun-disc is perfectly centered and is a brighter shade of red.
27 February 1870 – 12 August 1999Civil and state flag and ensign of the Empire of Japan, and the Japanese state.Flag ratio: 7:10. Disc is shifted 1% towards the hoist (left). This flag was designated by Proclamation No. 57, 1870.
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Imperial flags

More information Flag, Date ...
FlagDateUseDescription
Since 1869Imperial standard of the emperor of JapanA gold 16 petal chrysanthemum centered on a red background
Since 2019Imperial standard of the emperor emeritusSimilar to the standard of the emperor, but with a darker background
Since 1926Imperial standard of the empress, the empress dowager, the grand empress dowager and the empress emeritaA pennant of the standard of the emperor
Imperial standard of the regent of JapanSimilar to the standard of the emperor, but with a white border
Imperial standard of the heir imperial son and the imperial grandson who is an heir apparentSimilar to the standard of the emperor, but with a white orle
Imperial standard of the wife of the heir imperial son and the wife of the imperial grandsonA pennant of the standard of the heir imperial son
Since 2020Imperial standard of the crown prince if not the son of the emperorA gold 16-petaled chrysanthemum centered on a white background with a red orle and border
Since 1926Imperial standard of other members of the Imperial HouseSimilar to the standard of the crown prince, but without the red orle
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Governmental flags

More information Flag, Date ...
FlagDateUseDescription
1872–1887Ensign of Japan PostHinomaru with a red horizontal bar placed in the center of the flag.
Since 1892Ensign of Japan CustomsWhite represents land, blue represents sea, and the red disc represents the customs on a border.
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Military flags

See also: Rising Sun Flag

Self-Defense Force and Imperial Army/Navy

More information Flag, Date ...
FlagDateUseDescription
Since 1954Flag of the Japan Self-Defense Forces and the Japan Ground Self-Defense ForceA sun disc design with 8 red rays extending outward, and a gold border partially around the edge.
1889–1945Ensign of the Imperial Japanese NavySun disc with 16 rays on a white field, with the disc skewed to the hoist.
Since 1945Ensign of the Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force
1955–1957Former ensign of the Japan Air Self-Defense ForceUsed from 1955 to 1957.
1957–1972Used from 1957 to 1972.
1972–2001Used from 1972 to 2001.
Since 2001Ensign of the Japan Air Self-Defense ForceCurrent ensign, used since 2001.
Since 1972Standard of the prime minister of JapanFive cherry blossoms on a purple background.
Naval standard of the prime minister of Japan
Standard of the minister of defense of JapanFive cherry blossoms on a magenta background.
Naval standard of the minister of defense of Japan
Standard of the vice minister of defense of JapanFour cherry blossoms on a magenta background.
Naval standard of the vice minister of defense of Japan
Standard of Chief of Staff, Joint Staff
Since 2025Standard of Commander, Japan Self-Defense Forces Joint Operations Command
bordrerSince 2024Standard of commander of joint unit
Standard of Chief of Staff of the Japan Ground Self-Defense Force
Standard of Chief of Staff of the Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force
Since 1982Standard of Chief of Staff of the Japan Air Self-Defense Force
Since 1965Standard of vice admiral of the Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force
Standard of rear admiral of the Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force
Standard of commodore of the Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force
Standards of commander of the Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force
Standard of senior captain of the Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force
Since 1954Masthead pennant of the Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force
1905–1945, Since 2011The "Z flag", unofficial naval ensignDerived from International maritime signal flag "Z" Made famous by its use to signal the opening of the Battle of Tsushima.
1999–Standard of the army commander of the Japan Ground Self-Defense ForceEstablished in March 1999.
Standard of the divisional commander of the Japan Ground Self-Defence ForceArmy commander's flag until March 1999.
Standard of the brigade commander of the Japan Ground Self-Defense ForceThe brigade commander's flag is the flag of the six brigades that were reorganized from the four divisions and two combined brigades, and newly established in March 1999.
The brigade commander's flag is the flag of other brigades. It was used as a flag for divisional commanders until March 1999.
Until 1999Standard of the former brigade commander of the Japan Ground Self-Defense ForceIt was used until March 1999. This flag was used not only major general but also when the colonel was the brigade commander.　
Since 1972Flag of infantry battalion of the Japan Ground Self-Defense Force
1982–2001Standard of lieutenant general of the Japan Air Self-Defense ForceStandard of the commander in chief of the air defense command of the Japan Air Self-Defense Force from 1982 until 2001.
1982–2001Standard of major general of the Japan Air Self-Defense ForceStandard of the air division commander of the Japan Air Self-Defense Force from 1982 until 2001.
1980–Flag of the Japan Ground Self-Defense Force reserve
1870–1945War flag of the Imperial Japanese ArmyCentered sun disc with 16 rays on a white field.
1889–1945Standard of admiral of the Imperial Japanese Navy
1914–1945Standard of vice admiral of the Imperial Japanese Navy
Standard of rear admiral of the Imperial Japanese Navy
Standard of commodore of the Imperial Japanese Navy
Standard of commander of the Imperial Japanese Navy
Standard of senior captain of the Imperial Japanese Navy
1870–1945Standard of duty ship of the Imperial Japanese Navy
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Japan Coast Guard

More information Flag, Date ...
FlagDateUseDescription
1951–Ensign of the Japan Coast GuardThe symbol represents a mariner's compass.
Standard of the minister of land, infrastructure, transport and tourism
Standard of the Japan Coast Guard commandant
Standard of the commander of Regional Coast Guard Headquarters
Flag of the commander
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Historical flags

More information Flag, Date ...
FlagDateUseDescription
13th–19th centuryMilitary Flag of the warriors loyal to Japanese court.A red field with a golden disc in the center and 3 fringes on the fly. In reality, it was hoisted vertically.
1429–1879Merchant Flag of the Ryukyu Kingdom.A triangular yellow field with a red border and a red disc in the center.
1641–1858Dutch flag used in DejimaA horizontal tricolor of red, white and blue.
1603–1868Naval ensign of the Tokugawa Shogunate.[1]A bicolour flag consisting of three bands; white, black, and white.
1868–1869Flag used by the Satsuma army during the Boshin WarA horizontal bicolour of red and white.
1905–1910Flag of the Resident General of Korea.A blue ensign with the Flag of Japan in the canton.
1945–1952Civil and naval ensign during the occupation of Japan.Derived from International maritime signal flag "E".
1797[2]–1879Flag of the Ryukyu Kingdom.Features a mitsudomoe, the symbol of the ruling Second Shō dynasty.
1950 (Jan–Mar)Proposed flag of Okinawa.Called the Okinawan Flag (沖縄旗) or the Ryukyu Flag (琉球旗), proposed by the Okinawa Civil Government. The US administration stated they would decide the flag after the foundation of the unified government of the islands. However, the flag was forgotten ever since. Red, white, and blue represent peace, freedom, and enthusiasm, respectively. A star represents hope.
1952–1967Civil ensign during the occupation of Okinawa.Derived from International maritime signal flag "D".
1967–1972Civil ensign of the Government of the Ryukyu Islands.Ryukyus pennant above Japanese flag was used during U.S. occupation of Ryukyu Islands.
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Daimyō Flags

Flags attributed to Japanese Daimyo in the Kaei period (1848-54).

Daimyō Banners present in old paintings

Minorities

More information Flag, Date ...
FlagDateUseDescription
(1996) 1994–[citation needed]Flag of MindanFlag of Mindan, a pro-South organization of Zainichi Koreans. The pink flower surrounding the taegeuk is a hibiscus syriacus, the national flower of South Korea. The formal name of the society (Zainihon Daikanminkoku Mindan) is written in kanji in white, and the abbreviation (Mindan) is written in hangul in yellow. The blue field of the flag stands for clear sky and sea.
1955–presentFlag of the Chochong [ja]Flag of Chochong, a pro North youth organization of Zainichi Koreans affiliated with the Chongryon. A tricolor flag with the League's logo near to hoist side.
1923–1945[citation needed]Flag of National Levelers Association / Buraku Liberation LeagueFlag of National Levelers Association, a burakumin rights group, and Buraku Liberation League, NLA's succeeding group. Named the Crown of Thorns Flag (荊冠旗, Keikanki). Black represents a dark society with discriminations. Red represents blood.
1945–[citation needed]Flag of Buraku Liberation LeagueThe current Buraku Liberation League flag, with a white star representing hope.
1973–[citation needed]Flag of Ainu
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Cultural flags

More information Flag, Date ...
FlagDateUseDescription
1919–Flag of safetyNamed the Green Cross (緑十字, Midori-jūji). Designed by Toshifumi Gamō as the symbol of the governmental "safety week" campaign. The cross represents philanthropism in Western sense, and the place where good deeds gather in Oriental sense. JIS Z9103-1986 designates the symbol as the safety indication sign.
1953–Flag of industrial healthAnnounced by the Labour Standards Bureau, the Ministry of Labor of Japan (the current Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare), over a public subscription.
1965–Flag of safety and healthDesigned by the Japan Industrial Safety & Health Association. These three flags are frequently flown on factories or construction sites.
1887–Postal flagThe Postal symbol, 〒, on a white field.
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Prefectural flags

Main article: List of flags from Japanese subregions

Each modern prefecture has a unique flag, most often a bicolour geometric highly stylised design (mon), often incorporating the letters of Japanese writing system and resembling company logos. A distinct feature of these flags is that they use a palette of colours not usually found in flags, including orange, purple, aquamarine and brown.

Some prefectures also have alternative official flags called "symbol flags" (シンボル旗). They may be used on less formal occasions. Famous symbol flags include the one used in Tokyo.

More information Flag, Prefecture ...
FlagPrefectureGeocode
AichiJP-23
AkitaJP-05
AomoriJP-02
ChibaJP-12
EhimeJP-38
FukuiJP-18
FukuokaJP-40
FukushimaJP-07
GifuJP-21
GunmaJP-10
HiroshimaJP-34
HokkaidoJP-01
HyōgoJP-28
IbarakiJP-08
IshikawaJP-17
IwateJP-03
KagawaJP-37
KagoshimaJP-46
KanagawaJP-14
KōchiJP-39
KumamotoJP-43
KyotoJP-26
MieJP-24
MiyagiJP-04
MiyazakiJP-45
NaganoJP-20
NagasakiJP-42
NaraJP-29
NiigataJP-15
ŌitaŌitaJP-44
OkayamaJP-33
OkinawaJP-47
ŌsakaJP-27
SagaJP-41
SaitamaJP-11
ShigaJP-25
ShimaneJP-32
ShizuokaJP-22
TochigiJP-09
TokushimaJP-36
TokyoJP-13
TottoriJP-31
ToyamaJP-16
WakayamaJP-30
YamagataJP-06
YamaguchiJP-35
YamanashiJP-19
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Municipal flags

Main article: Lists of Japanese municipal flags

Most municipalities have unique flags. Like prefectural flags, most of them are with a bicolour geometric highly stylized symbol, often incorporating Japanese characters.

Political flags

More information Flag, Date ...
FlagDateUseDescription
Current
Since 2017Tomin First no Kai
Since 1995Ishin Seito Shimpu
Since 1982National Socialist Japanese Workers' Party
Since 1972Japanese Communist Party
Since 1970Kariyushi Club (Ryukyu Independence Movement)
Since 1955Liberal Democratic Party
1923–1942
Since 1946		Rikken Yoseikaija
Former
2005–2013People's New Party
1960–1994Democratic Socialist Party
1945–1996Japan Socialist Party
1936–1944Tōhōkai
Other
1936The Righteous ArmyThe four characters reading "Revere the Emperor, Destroy the Traitors" (尊皇討奸) are placed in the corners of a standard Japanese flag.
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See also


References

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