<Tr> <Th> Adopted </Th> <Td> February 27, 1870 (as the civil ensign by Proclamation No. 57); August 13, 1999 (as the national flag and slight modifications to the design of the flag) </Td> </Tr> <Tr> <Th> Design </Th> <Td> A red sun - disc centered on a white rectangular field </Td> </Tr> <P> The national flag of Japan is a white rectangular flag with a crimson - red disc in the center . This flag is officially called Nisshōki (日章旗, "sun - mark flag") in the Japanese language, but is more commonly known as Hi no maru (日の丸, "circle of the sun"). The flag embodies Japan's nickname as the Land of the Rising Sun . </P> <P> The Nisshōki flag is designated as the national flag in the Law Regarding the National Flag and National Anthem, which was promulgated and became effective on August 13, 1999 . Although no earlier legislation had specified a national flag, the sun - disc flag had already become the de facto national flag of Japan . Two proclamations issued in 1870 by the Daijō - kan, the governmental body of the early Meiji period, each had a provision for a design of the national flag . A sun - disc flag was adopted as the national flag for merchant ships under Proclamation No. 57 of Meiji 3 (issued on February 27, 1870), and as the national flag used by the Navy under Proclamation No. 651 of Meiji 3 (issued on October 27, 1870). Use of the Hi no maru was severely restricted during the early years of the Allied occupation of Japan after World War II; these restrictions were later relaxed . </P>

White flag with red dot in the middle