Record / JP-NAT-1999

Japan

Nisshōki / commonly called the Hinomaru

AsiaNationalDiscStatutory geometry
Flag of Japan
Wikimedia Commons asset / ratio 2:3
Quick answer

Japan’s national flag is a white 2:3 rectangle bearing a centered crimson disc whose diameter is three-fifths of the flag’s hoist.

Specification

The construction is governed by the Act on National Flag and Anthem of 1999. The sun disc is placed at the exact center of the white field, giving the flag a compact geometric definition.

Hoist : fly2 : 3
Disc diameter3⁄5 hoist

Reference colors

CrimsonHEX #BC002D / common screen reference
WhiteHEX #FFFFFF / RGB 255, 255, 255

Construction notes

Draw a rectangle three units wide and two units high. Locate the intersection of its diagonals, then draw a circle centered there with a diameter equal to 60% of the hoist. The statutory color is described as a deep red; digital equivalents should be labelled as reproductions unless tied to an authoritative color system.

Historical record

The sun-disc design has a much longer history than the 1999 act. It was used as a national emblem and ensign before the modern statute formally established the Nisshōki as Japan’s national flag.

Source trail

This starter record follows the construction schedule attached to Japan’s Act on National Flag and Anthem. Document links and translation notes will be added during the citation pass.