英语介绍日本国旗的由来

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.

The red circle of the national flag symbolizes the sun. The national flag of Japan is called the Sun Flag (Hinomaru), which originates from the Japanese word "Rizhi Wan", which literally means "Sun Circle". It is uncertain when the symbol of the solar circle was first used on flags and slogans.
But in the 12th century, there was a struggle between Minamoto and Taira clans for power. The warriors liked to draw solar circles on folding fans (gunsen in Japanese).