Countries

Japan

An archipelago of nearly 6,900 islands sitting on the Pacific Ring of Fire, home to over 100 active volcanoes. Mount Fuji, its highest peak at 3,776 metres and last erupted in 1707, is one of Japan's "Three Holy Mountains" and a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

Mount Fuji seen from Chureito Pagoda, Japan, with autumn foliage in the foreground

Mount Fuji

Photo: Supanut Arunoprayote, CC BY 4.0

The red disc represents the sun: Japan's name, Nihon, translates to "origin of the sun." The design dates back centuries as a military and imperial banner, and became the official national flag by law only in 1999.

How it has changed

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