Japan is one of my favorite countries in the world in terms of culture and history. Their respective flag as shown on flag poles of all kinds, displays a red disk on a white background. Not surprisingly, the red colored disk symbolizes the sun and is position exactly in the middle of the flag. Unlike other historical flags, the flag of Japan knows quite a bit of controversy with regards to its meaning, especially in Japan.

Referred to as "Nisshoki," but more commonly as the "Hinomaru," this fascinating banner was adopted officially back in 1999, a little more than one decade ago. Interestingly, no earlier official national flag was really in existence before that time. However, back in the 19th century, 2 proclamations issued by the so called "Daij-kan," each had a provision for a new design of the national banner. In 1870, the sun-disk flag was accepted as the national flag for merchant vessels at sea as well as flown from flagpoles by on vessels under rule of the Japanese Navy.

Different representations or perceptions of the banner are in existence. To some inhabitants of Japan, the flag is said to be a fitting representation of the territory. To others, the flag is said to symbolize the events surrounding World War 2. In fact, the use of both the anthem and the flag has been cause of contention for public schools in Japan ever since World War 2. The flag is not flown from flag poles and such often because it is also said to associate with extreme forms of nationalism.

Like other flags of different countries, including flags of Europe, the Japanese flag has specifics in terms of proportion and color. According to Japan's ministry of defense, the red color is listed as 5R 4/12 of the so called Munsell color chart.

Japan is represented by one of the more interesting historical flags in the world, if you ask me. The earliest recorded flags in the history of this country date back to the unification period of the sixteenth century. The very first national banner was adopted was attached to a flag pole back in 1870.