Flags of Japan

The flag of the country of Japan is accepted in 1999. It represents a red circle on a white background. The diameter of the circle is 3/5 of the flag’s width. The white background means cleanliness and integrity, and red circle is warmly, brightness and sincerity. The red circle on the white background ("a solar flag") is old enough symbol. According to the tradition, its origin carried to XIII century, the time of the wars against the Mongols, tried to win the Japanese islands. Then one of Samurais has presented to the shogun a flag with red circle. During the time of the shogun Tokugawa (1603-1867) this flag became a recognition symbol for the ships, and after the revolution (1867-1868) - a national flag of Japan (in 1870).

The flag embodies the Japanese ideal of the person: "bright, pure, fair and gifted with a kind heart". Up to 1889 it was a military, naval and sea flag of Japan. In 1999 the new legislation of the state symbols was accepted where the figure of the national flag with red circle on a white background was confirmed. Japan is situated on the Japanese islands in the Pacific Ocean. Its relief is mainly mountainous. There are many operative and extinct volcanoes. The plains are used as an agricultural land.