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Tokyo (Japan)

Tōkyō, 東京都

by Pascal Gross, 5 May 1998

Description of the flag
Tokyo Metropolitan Government
Tokyo ku
Links to Tokyo ku
Iwo-Jima

See also:

Description of the flag

White sun with 6 rays on dark purple colour field. The sun is stylized Kanji character of Tokyo-Nihon which represents developing capital city Tokyo. Dark purple has been popular colour in Tokyo from old days. Adopted 1 October 1964.

Nozomi Kariyasu, 06 May 1998

Tōkyō Metropolitan Government

by Pascal Gross

Tokyo is a special capital district called Tokyo Metropolitan which contains 23 ku and lots of cities, town and villages.

The image of green emblem on white was adopted as Tokyo symbol flag on June1 1990 .The stylized "T" of Tokyo in green is in the center of white background which symbolizes the development, prosperity and peacefulness of Tokyo. The flag is used for casual event like sports assembly. Meanwhile, the purple flag remains unchanged and is still used as Tokyo prefecture flag for more formal events. The two flags are hoisting in front of Tokyo metropolitan government building.
Nozomi Kariyasu

Tōkyō ku

Japanese 46 prefectures are composed of cities, towns and villages while only Metropolitan Tōkyō are composed of 23 ku (special districts) in addition to 27 cities, 5 towns and 8 villages including Ogasawara Islands because Metropolitan Tōkyō has big population (14 million).

The ku (special district) concept is more important and larger than ordinary Japanese city and some of them have their own flags which I have been investigating and collecting official government document on their coat-or-arms and flags with specifications.

I think these flags have never been published in a book.
Nozomi Kariyasu, 22 December 1998

On the colors of the Ku flags


12 ku use dull purple
 4 ku use dark violet
 2 ku use white
 1 ku use dark purplish blue
 1 ku use orient blue
 1 ku use deep green
 1 ku use dull blue
 1 ku use dark red
--------
23 ku