The current flag of Japan was first adopted as a civil ensign for Japanese merchant ships.

Flag of Japan

The national flag of Japan is a rectangular white banner with a red circle at its center. The flag is officially called the Nisshōki but is more commonly known in Japan as the Hinomaru . It embodies the country's sobriquet: the Land of the Rising Sun.

Civil ensign

Maritime flag used by civilian vessels to denote their nationality

A civil ensign is an ensign used by civilian vessels to denote their nationality. It can be the same or different from the state ensign and the naval ensign. It is also known as the merchant ensign or merchant flag. Some countries have special civil ensigns for yachts, and even…