Japan

The flag of Japan has a white background with a large red circle in the center of the flag.
The flag is officially known as the Nisshōki (日章旗, ‘flag of the sun’), but is more commonly referred to in Japan as the Hinomaru (日の丸, ‘ball of the sun’). It symbolizes the nation’s nickname: the Land of the Rising Sun.
== History ==
The Nisshōki flag was officially designated as Japan’s national flag under the Act on National Flag and Anthem, which was enacted on August 13, 1999. Although there had been no previous legislation defining a national flag, the sun-disc flag had already become Japan’s de facto national flag. In 1870, two proclamations by the Daijō-kan, the governing body of the early Meiji period, each outlined a design for the national flag. The sun-disc flag was adopted as the national flag for merchant ships under Proclamation No. 57 of Meiji 3 (February 27, 1870), and as the national flag for the Navy under Proclamation No. 651 of Meiji 3 (October 27, 1870). During the early years of Allied occupation after World War II, the use of the Hinomaru was severely restricted, though these restrictions were later eased.
==Symbolism==
*Red Circle: Sun, Rising Sun
==Trivia==
*The design was taken from an ancient design, the designer of which is currently unknown. 
== Nickname ==
* The Red Circle
** 赤い円 (Akai en)
==Flag Colors==
Color	Color Name	HEX RGB
 	White 	#ffffff
 	Red NCS 	#BC002D
==Other Flags==
Japan_Naval Ensign_Flag-441.gif|Japanese Naval Ensign
IJA Flag.png|The flag of the Empire of Japan from 1870 to 1945.
Tokugawa shogunate.png|the flag of the Tokugawa shogunate from 1600 to 1868, when it becomes the "Japanese Empire".
Imperial Banner of the Japanese Emperor.png|Imperial Banner of the Japanese Emperor, and also the flag from 1868 to 1870.
==References==
Category:Japan
Category:Asia
Category:Proportions 2-3
Category:White background
Category:Discs
Category:United Nations
Category:Red