The national flag of Japan

The national flag of Japan is a white background with a crimson circle in the center. The crimson circle represents the sun.

Formal name of the flag is Nisshoki, but we Japanese usually call it Hinomaru. The Act on National Flag and Anthem provides that the height of the flag is two-thirds of the width. And the diameter of the circle is three-fifth of the height.

Before Hinomaru was used as the national flag, Japanese people used the combination of red crimson and white background. The combination was confirmed in old pictures not only in flags but in folding fans.

In 1854 the Tokugawa shogunate, then government, decided that Japanese vessels should fly Hinomaru flags as a mark of Japan to distinguish them from other countries' vessels. This is the first time Hinomaru has been used as the national flag.

In 1868 a new government was established. When it comes to Hinomaru, it followed the previous government. The Grand Council of State, the highest government office of the new government, also proclaimed that vessels should fly Hinomaru as the national flag of Japan in 1870.

There was no legal basis for the national flag. But Japanese people regarded Hinomaru as their national flag by custom.

Some Japanese people have negative feeling about Hinomaru. Some of them make an objection to regard Hinomaru as the national flag. They connect Hinomaru with Japanese militarism and wars of aggression in World War II. Left-wing people tend to think so. On the other hand, right-wing people tend to respect Hinomaru.

In 1999 Act on National Flag and Anthem was put in effect. Since then Hinomaru has had legal basis.

Miscellaneous writings about disaster in Japan

Most Japanese people don't read English written newspapers. But the Japanese media sometimes report what the Western media cover. It also report how the Western media cover Japan. That has influence on Japanese people. A recent case that gain Japanese people's much attention is a Washington Post's column. A WP's columnist Al Kamen wrote "increasingly loopy Japanese Prime Minister Yukio Hatoyama" on April 14, 2010. The word "loopy" became well-know among most Japanese people.

Today the Western media affect Japanese people significantly. It has been admiring Japanese people's resilience, stoicism, gaman, etc. Many Japanese media reported that. And a lot of Japanese people read the coverage and gain their confidence. But unfortunately, I heard that recent coverage by the Western media turn to criticism of Japanese government handling of nuclear plants.


I've sometimes read and heard a phrase "Ganbaro Nippon" (Try hard, Japan) in Japan. For example, popular TV personalities say to viewers, "Ganbaro Nippon." That is a catchline Japanese people make to encourage themselves. Japanese people try to unit together to overcome the national crisis.

On the other hand, "jishuku" is becoming prevalent. Jishuku means self-restraint. Most Japanese people think it's indiscreet to enjoy oneself when fellow country men face severe difficulties. I guess peer pressure, which is a characteristic of Japanese people, also involve jishuku atmosphere. But there's also a growing consensus that excessive jishuku weaken Japanese economy.

Devastating earthquake in Japan

A devastating earthquake hit Japan on March 11. The earthquake caused a destructive tsunami and that swept through northeast Japan. It also damaged Fukushima Daiichi Nuclear Power Plant and radioactivity leaked into the air and sea. Major affected areas are Tohoku and north Kanto region, such as Miyagi, Iwate, Fukushima and Ibaraki prefectures.

Disaster also affected Kanto region, including Tokyo. Infrastructure was partially paralyzed and aftershocks has been occurring again and again.

Western Japan doesn't suffer from the disaster. Although the media repetitively emphasizes catastrophe in northeast Japan, many areas are peaceful.

* * * * * * * * * *

But most Japanese people, including those who live in western Japan, don't think the disaster as somebody else's problem. Many of them felt great sympathy for victims and evacuees. Many of them do what they can to help victims and evacuees. A lot of organizations launch fund raising campaign. Large numbers of people cooperate to save electricity. But unfortunately, some people who live in safe regions hoard essential goods.

I live in western Japan. So, I didn't face the disaster. Most people around me live their lives as usual. But some people seem to hoard mineral waters and dry-cell batteries. Some essential goods and emergency supplies are sold out in most shops. Economic activities contract because supply chain partially based on northeast Japan is damaged. On the other hand, many organizations, including local governments, local broadcasting stations, etc. conduct fund raising campaign.

Japan in Japanese is Nihon or Nippon

Japan is an exonym. In Japanese Nihon or Nippon.

[History]

In earlier times, my country's name was Yamato or Oyamato, because the government was located in Yamato region, western Japan.

About the sixth century, the name Nihon and Nippon began to be used. Nihon or Nippon originally means the far eastern country where the sun rises first.

In 1299 Marco Polo first introduced Japan to Europe as Zipangu in his book Books of the Marvels of the World. It is said that Marco Polo heard the pronunciation of Nihon Koku or Nippon Koku (Koku means nation) in language of Beijing as Zipangu. That's the origin of an exonym Japan.

[Which is correct: Nihon or Nippon?]

So, which is correct, Nihon or Nippon? The answer is both are correct. There are no legal bases for name of the country in Japan. Both are commonly used. But externally, Nippon was usually used. In compound word, Nihon is likely to be used (e.g. Nihon go).

[Usage of Nihon]

Nihon go (Japanese)
Nihon Kai (the Sea of Japan)
Nihon shu (Sake)

[Usage of Nippon]

Nippon ichi (number one in Japan)
Gabmare Nippon! (Go, Japan!)
Dai Nippon Teikoku (Empire of Japan)

[Cases both Nihon and Nippon are OK]

Nihon jin or Nippon jin (Japanese people)
Nihon Koku Kenpou or Nippon Koku Kepou (The Japanese Constitution)
Nihon Rettou or Nippon Rettou (the Japanese Archipelago)
Nihon Ginko or Nippon Ginko (Bank of Japan) *

* A phrase "Nippon Ginko" is printed on Banknotes of the Japanese yen. So, clerks of the BOJ tend to say Nippon Ginko. But many Japanese people also commonly say "Nihon Ginko." Bank of Japan Act doesn't state which is correct.

A brief outline of Japanese history (4)

* Bakumatsu (the last days of the Tokugawa shogunate) *

Matthew C. Perry, Commodore of the US Navy, visited Japan in 1853 and 1854 with a squadron of war vessels called "Kurofune (Black Ships)". And he demanded to open the door to the US. The Tokugawa Shogunate bowed to the pressure and concluded the Treaty of Peace and Amity between the US and Japan that included opening Shimoda and Hakodate ports. The Shogunate then concluded the Treaty of Peace and Amity between the US and Japan in 1858 that included unfavorable articles for Japan. It also concluded similar treaties with other European countries.

That caused sono joi ("Revere the Emperor, expel the barbarians") movement. But it became clear that it was impossible for Japan to expel Western countries, because powerful Hans, e.g. Satsuma Han and Choshu Han lost battles with European countries. Instead, Satsuma and Choshu cooperated each other and tried to overthrow the Shogunate to rebuild Japan under the emperor. But Tokugawa Yoshinobu, the 15th Shogun, announced that it returned it's governing power to the imperial court (Taisei Hokan) to avoid being overthrown. Satsuma and Choshu declared Osei Fukko (Restoration of Imperial Rule), and the new government, including Satsuma and Choshu, decided that it demanded that Yoshinobu resign government post and return shogunate's territory. Former shogunate troops resisted it and fought against the new government (Boshin War 1868-1869). But it was defeated, and the new government unified the nation.

[Modern Japan]

* the Meiji Restoration *

The new government announced new policies as a form of the Emperor's oath in 1868 (Charter Oath). Several political reforms were implemented to modernize Japan. For example, Edo was renamed Tokyo in 1868. In 1871 the government abolished Han and established prefecture instead (Haihan Chiken). To enrich the nation and strengthen the military, the government promoted the modernization of industry. A series of political reforms are called the Meiji Restoration.

And new political system was established. The cabinet system was adopted in 1885. The first modern constitution was promulgated in 1889. And the first Imperial diet was convened in 1890. Japan became a constitutional monarchy.

* Sino-Japanese War *

Japan and the Qing fought a war from 1894 to 1895 because of the conflict over Korea. Japan achieved a victory and concluded the Treaty of Shimonoseki. The treaty guaranteed that (a) Qing recognize the independent of Korea (b) Qing cedes Liaodong Peninsula and Taiwan to Japan (c) Qing pay Japan 200 million Kuping taels as a war indemnity, etc. But Japan was forced to return Liaodong Peninsula because Russia, Germany and France demanded the claim be withdrawn.

* Russo-Japanese War *

Japan and Russia fought a war from 1904 to 1905 because of the conflict over Manchuria and Korea. Japan achieved a victory and signed the Treaty of Portsmouth under the mediation of U.S. President Theodore Roosevelt. Japan gained dominant power in Korea, control of the southern portion of the Chinese Eastern Railway, etc.

* Japan as a military power *

In 1918 the first party cabinet "Hara Takashi cabinet" was formed. Since then party cabinets had been in power. But the Great Depression leaded to the rise of the military. Japan became a military power. Japan waged war against China and the US but surrendered unconditionally to the Allied Powers in 1945.

[Postwar Japan]

Japan was occupied by Allied Powers, especially US forces. General Headquarters of the Allied Forces was established and it ordered Japanese government to implement many reforms to democratize Japan. Enacting a new constitution was one of them. The three major principles of the new constitution was (a) popular sovereignty (not emperor's sovereignty) (b) respect for fundamental human rights (c) pacifism. The status of the emperor was stated as "the symbol of the state and of the unity of the people." In 1951 US and 45 other Allied nations singed the Treaty of Peace with Japan. Based on the treaty, Japan's autonomy was restored in 1952.

After that Japan enjoyed rapid economic growth from late 1950s and 1960s and became an economic powerhouse.

(End)

A brief outline of Japanese history (1)
A brief outline of Japanese history (2)
A brief outline of Japanese history (3)
A brief outline of Japanese history (4)