Flag of Japan: Colours, Meaning and Facts
Quick facts
- Region
- Asia
- Capital
- Tokyo
- Adopted
- 13 Aug 1999
- Layout
- canton
Colour breakdown
Tap a colour to see every flag in the GeoPie library that uses it.
GeoPie preview
GeoPie
Colour proportions turned into a pie chart — the puzzle shape you'd see in-game.
Play today's puzzleGeoBlend average colour
Meaning & symbolism
The red disc represents the sun, a nod to Japan's name Nihon meaning "origin of the sun".
By law the flag must be made of khadi — no wait, that's India. Japan's flag ratio is fixed at 2:3 with the red disc slightly off-centre historically.
Region & capital
Japan sits in Asia — Eastern Asia. Its capital is Tokyo.
See all Asia flagsPlay a related puzzle
Frequently asked
- What are the colours on the flag of Japan?
- Japan's flag uses white, red. The red disc represents the sun, a nod to Japan's name Nihon meaning "origin of the sun".
- When was the flag of Japan adopted?
- The current flag was adopted on 13 August 1999.
- What is the capital of Japan?
- The capital is Tokyo.
- Which flags look similar to Japan's?
- Commonly confused with BD, PW. See the similar-flags rail below.
