Last modified: 2023-06-03 by zachary harden
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image by Zachary Harden, 13 March 2018
On 6 January 2001, both the flag of Japanese Prime Minister and the flag of
Minister of Defence were changed. I found it from "The gazette of National
Defence Agency"
According to "The gazette of National Defence Agency". The flag of
Japanese Prime Minister was changed as follows.
1. the color of flag: maroon to purple
2. the color of cherry blossom's core and outline: maroon to purple
Miru Takano, 6 August 2001
Prime Minister's flag, October 1951 - 14 March 1972
by Zachary Harden, 13 March 2018
According to Crampton The Complete Guide to Flags, on page 109, the Prime Minister's flag is "Orange with a ring of 15 red and white cherry blossom mon." Was there a change in the design? If so, when and why? Also, does anyone know if the number of cherry blossoms has any particular meaning or symbolism on the flag? Randy Young, 29 January 1999
Flaggenmitteilung shows the flag as yellow with white flowers.
Jaume Ollé 27 July 1999
The Japanese Prime Minister flag which is yellow gold flag with 5 red & white cherry blossoms was first adopted October, 1951 and changed on July 18, 1980 to the current one which is a dark reddish brown flag with 5 gold cherry blossoms.
The Japanese PM flag has not had 15 cherry blossoms.
The cherry blossom is Japanese national flower.
Nozomi Kariyasu, 6 February 2000
Our prime minister has his flag which is dark reddish brown (you can say
maroon or red-brown) flag with 5 gold cherry blossoms and this flag is also used
when prime minister works as Supreme Commander of Joint Self-Defense Forces.
Incidentally the flag of the Minister of State for Defense and Director General
of the Defense Agency is same color flag with 5 silver cherry blossoms.
Nozomi Kariyasu, 6 February 2000
The new pm flag was adopted March 14, 1972 and is still in use as pm flag and supreme commander of the Self-Defense Forces.
On 18 July 1980 a part of decree was a slightly modified, but the flag design
itself was reconfirmed (no change).
Nozomi Kariyasu, 27 February 2000
Prime Minister Flag (1972-2001)
by Zachary Harden, 13 March 2018
image from Japanese Cabinet Office, located by Nozomi Kariyasu, 11 April 2014
Since Oct 2003 Japanese Prime Minister started using a lectern with
a design of the Paulownia of 5-7 at the Press interview.
The Paulownia of 5-7 is a popular Paulownia crest.
There are 7 flowers in the center and 5 each flowers
to right and left over the three leaves.
It is said that Emperor Saga (786-842) started using the
Paulownia design. However once Imperial family adopted
Chrysanthemum as an Imperial family crest they
liked to grant the Paulownia crest to shogunate or
other powerful Daimyo.
Although the current Prime Minister is not a Daimyo
he started using it as his symbol.
This seal is not used on flag but only at press interview.
Nozomi Kariyasu, 11 April 2014
So, does he have the right to do that, if it's an imperial emblem? Or has the
emperor granted it to him, or to the prime ministry?
Peter Hans van den Muijzenberg, 13 April 2014
In old times the Emperor tends to grant Paulownia crest to whom assumes the
reins of government however in 1884 the official gazette was issued that there
is no restriction to use the Paulownia crest not like Imperial crest
Chrysanthemum. The Paulownia design can be seen in the Japanese coins and visa
document. So the present Prime Minister was not granted it by the Emperor.
Nozomi Kariyasu, 13 April 2014