Japan: flag, capital, currency and history

Japan is a country in Eastern Asia, Asia. Its capital is Tokyo. The currency is the Japanese yen. Languages spoken include Japanese.

Quick facts about Japan

Official name: Japan
Capital: Tokyo
Region: Asia, Eastern Asia
Currency: Japanese yen (JPY, ¥)
Languages: Japanese
Calling code: +81
Internet domain: .jp
Area: 377,930 km² (145,920 sq mi)
Land borders: None (island or surrounded by water)
Demonym: Japanese
National day: National Foundation Day, February 11

Flag of Japan

Download the flag of Japan as a scalable SVG or as a PNG in three sizes. The flag emoji is 🇯🇵.

SVG (vector)

History of Japan

Human settlement in the Japanese archipelago dates back tens of thousands of years, followed by the Jomon and Yayoi cultures. The Yamato court emerged as a central power by the first millennium AD, and the imperial capital moved to Heian-kyo (Kyoto) in 794. From 1185 military shoguns held real power, culminating in the Tokugawa shogunate from 1603. Contact with Western powers in the 1850s ended a long period of limited foreign relations, and the Meiji Restoration in 1868 began rapid modernisation. Defeat in the Second World War in 1945 brought occupation and a new constitution. Japan is a constitutional monarchy.

Key dates

794The imperial capital moves to Heian-kyo, now Kyoto.
1185The Kamakura shogunate begins to emerge, starting centuries of warrior rule.
1603Tokugawa Ieyasu becomes shogun, founding the Edo period.
1853American ships under Commodore Perry arrive, pressing Japan to open to trade.
1868The Meiji Restoration returns political authority to the emperor.
1945Japan surrenders at the end of the Second World War.
1947The postwar constitution takes effect.