flags of Japanese prefectures

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Each modern Japanese prefecture has a unique flag, most often a bicolour, geometric, highly stylised design, and often incorporating the characters of the Japanese writing system and resembling minimalistic company logos.{{Cite news |title=DESIGN IN FLAGS: THE BEAUTY FOUND IN JAPAN'S FLAGS |url=https://designmadeinjapan.com/magazine/graphic-design/design-in-flags-the-beauty-found-in-japans-flags/ |access-date=2024-07-21 |work=DESIGN MADE IN JAPAN}} The heraldic badges worn by warriors in medieval Japan (mon) were forerunners of the modern emblems used in the prefectural flags.{{Cite book |last=Inglefield |first=Eric |title=Flags |date=1984 |publisher=Arco Pub. |isbn=0-668-06262-2 |page=18}}

A distinct feature of these flags is that they use a palette of colours not usually found in flags, including orange, purple, aquamarine and brown.

Some prefectures also have alternative official flags called {{nihongo|"symbol flags"|シンボル旗}}. They may be used on less formal occasions. Famous symbol flags include the one used in Tokyo.