Country flag
Japan Flag
Japan's flag, widely known as the Hinomaru, is a white field with a centred red disc. Its simplicity makes it easy to identify, but its exact red circle...
Where is Japan?
The highlighted area marks the country on the world map.
About Japan and its flag
Japan's flag, widely known as the Hinomaru, is a white field with a centred red disc. Its simplicity makes it easy to identify, but its exact red circle and wide white field are also easily confused with several other minimalist designs.
Flag design and meaning
The flag contains only two elements: a plain white background and a solid red disc placed in the centre. There is no border, ray pattern, star, or additional emblem. The disc is circular rather than a sunburst or a ring.
- Red disc: The disc is commonly understood as representing the sun, reflected in the name Hinomaru, or sun circle.
History and adoption
The red-disc motif had long been used in Japan before modern flag rules were formalised. It was used as the national flag during the modernisation period and its specifications were set in the 1999 Law Concerning the National Flag and Anthem.
How to recognise this flag
- Japan has a single red circle on a plain white field with no additional marks.
- Do not confuse the solid disc with Bangladesh or Palau, whose discs sit off-centre and use different fields.
Japan flag quiz context
On Name The Flag, the Japan flag is currently grouped as very easy difficulty for quiz progression.
Players may also want to compare it with Bangladesh and Palau, which can appear as plausible flag distractors.
Explore more country flags
Compare Japan with other flags from the quiz.
