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.
