The present flag of Japan is a white cloth with a red circle in the middle, which symbolizes the rising sun. It is no coincidence that such a symbol has been chosen, and it reminds us of how they synonymously call Japan - Land of the Rising Sun. The proportions of the flag are 2:3, and the diameter of a circle is 3/5 the width of the flag. If we get deep into the symbolism of the flag of Japan, it is possible to determine that purity and integrity are expressed with white background and a red circle means warmness, brightness and sincerity.

In accordance with Law Regarding the National Flag and National Anthem dated as of August 13, 1999, the official name of the flag in Japanese is Nissho:ki (Sun-mark flag), though Hi-no-maru (sun disk) is considered more common and popular. There are some versions about the origin of Hi-no-maru as a Japanese symbol.

Some historians believe that the prototype of Hi-no-maru appeared in the Heian period, when this symbol was depicted on the standards of commanders. It was believed that this symbol would draw power of the sun and give strength to the army. According to one of the legends, the first Emperor of Japan – Jimmu had won a crushing victory over the enemy, when the sun was behind his troops, and thus blinded their opponents.

Another legend says that the Japanese flag was created by a Buddhist monk Nichiren, and after attempts of Mongols to invade the Japanese islands had been rejected, he handed the flag to shogun. According to another version, the flag with a red circle was presented to the shogun by a samurai.

So what was the reason for Hi-no-maru to become the official symbol of Japan? First, it is the divine origin of the Emperor, "the son of the sun", that is, the Emperor was identified with the sun. Second, it is impact of Shintoism with its color symbolism where red means the color of life, the sun’s energy and fire, and white - the color of purity. Third, the significant role was played by the geographical factor, because in China it was believed that Japanese Islands were located near the eastern edge of the earth and the sun rose from there.

Establishing Hi-no-maru as a national symbol can be attributed to the Meiji Restoration (1867-1868) after which the flag of Hi-no-maru was to be installed on every merchant vessel. During the Second World War, the international community has taken the flag as a symbol of Japanese militarism. And, of course, right after the war there began controversial debate in Japan about the change of flag, but in the industrial, economic, political and social bustle of the country’s post-war revival out of the ruins, this debate has not been brought to an end.

Thus, as a result of social and political debates which re-emerged in the mid-90s, the above mentioned Law Regarding the National Flag and National Anthem was enacted and the date of enactment of the law has become the day of the national flag.