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Joetsu City [Niigata prefecture Japan]

上越市

Last modified: 2026-09-19 by zachary harden
Keywords: niigata | joetsu | kanji: jo |
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image by Tomislav Šipek, 09 June 2014

City flag
Previously Reported Flag
Itakura
Kubiki
Kakizaki
Maki
Nakago
Ogata
Oshima
Sanwa
Uragawara
Yoshikawa
Yasuzuka

See also:

City flag

City of Joetsu adopted emblem (in Japanese) on 10 December 1971 by Notice No 76; adoption date of flag:: 23 December 1972 by Notice No 101
flag proportion: 2:3
colour of field: green
colour of emblem: white
other points follows national flag specification
height of emblem: 3/5 flag height
A stylized kanji Jo 上
Source: City of Joetsu
(link no longer available) Nozomi Kariyasu, 18 January 2006

The emblem consists of the kanji jo 上 (upper, above, top, etc) written with the appearance of cursive script in a circle. The shape, bringing to mind new leaves, heads towards a/the new "Sea of Japan Era" (?) and represents unlimited development/growth.
The colour of the field is described as "grey green", and despite the fact that the specifications are said to be as for the national flag, the illustration looks quite square!
Jonathan Dixon, 28 April 2006

The flag of Joetsu is already reported, but that flag should be corrected.
Source: http://www.joetsutj.com/tag/オラレ上越
Tomislav Šipek, 09 June 2014

The city emblem was adopted on Dec 10th 1971 by Notice No 76 and the flag was adopted on Dec 23rd 1972 by Notice No 101. The grey green flag has a green and a white two color city emblem in the center The flag proportion is 2:3.
Nozomi Kariyasu, 10 June 2014

Previously Reported Flag

image by Eugene Ipavec, 24 January 2006

Itakura Town / 板倉町

image by Tomislav Šipek, 16 June 2014

The flag of the former town of Itakura was white with mark. The town is now, from 2005, part of the city of Joetsu.
Source: http://www.city.joetsu.niigata.jp/soshiki/kikaku/merger-ceremony.HTML
Tomislav Šipek, 16 June 2014

The kanji character “板” was stylized, and the hiragana characters “くら” were arranged in a circle around it.
Nozomi Kariyasu, 25 August 2026

Kubiki Village / 頚城村

image by Tomislav Šipek, 16 June 2014

The flag of the former village of Kubiki was maroon with mark. The village is now, from 2005, part of the city of Joetsu.
Source: http://www.city.joetsu.niigata.jp/soshiki/kikaku/merger-ceremony.HTML
Tomislav Šipek, 16 June 2014

The katakana character クビ “Kubi” is stylized to resemble a flying bird, while the katakana characterキ “Ki” is stylized into a circle, symbolizing the unity and peace of the villagers.
Nozomi Kariyasu, 27 August 2026

Kakizak Town / 柿崎町i

image by Tomislav Šipek, 16 June 2014

The flag of the former town of Kakizaki was white with mark. The town is now, from 2005, part of the city of Joetsu.
Source: http://www.city.joetsu.niigata.jp/soshiki/kikaku/merger-ceremony.HTML
Tomislav Šipek, 16 June 2014

The kanji character 柿崎 “Kakizaki” has been stylized to resemble a pile of rice, and the four black dots at the top represent the former town and three villages.
Nozomi Kariyasu, 26 August 2026

Maki Village / 牧村

image by Tomislav Šipek, 16 June 2014

The flag of the former village of Maki was green with mark. The village is now, from 2005, part of the city of Joetsu.
Source: http://www.city.joetsu.niigata.jp/soshiki/kikaku/merger-ceremony.HTML
Tomislav Šipek, 16 June 2014

The kanji character “牧” has been stylized to resemble a rice ear and the tower of an oil field.
Nozomi Kariyasu, 27 August 2026

Nakago Village / 中郷村

image by Tomislav Šipek, 16 June 2014

The flag of the former village of Nakago was green with mark. The village is now, from 2005, part of the city of Joetsu.
Source: http://www.city.joetsu.niigata.jp/soshiki/kikaku/merger-ceremony.HTML
Tomislav Šipek, 16 June 2014

The design is based on the hiragana characterな “na,” and the large, spreading wings symbolize the village's growth.
Nozomi Kariyasu, 28 August 2026

Ogata Town / 大潟町

image by Tomislav Šipek, 16 June 2014

The flag of the former town of Ogata was purple with mark. The town is now, from 2005, part of the city of Joetsu.
Source: http://www.city.joetsu.niigata.jp/soshiki/kikaku/merger-ceremony.HTML
Tomislav Šipek, 16 June 2014

The design features a stylized version of the kanji character for “great” (大) to symbolize progress, with the kanji character for “lagoon” (潟) placed in the center.
Nozomi Kariyasu, 29 August 2026

Oshima Village / 大島村

image by Tomislav Šipek, 16 June 2014

The flag of the former village of Oshima was green with mark. The village is now, from 2005, part of the city of Joetsu.
Source: http://www.city.joetsu.niigata.jp/soshiki/kikaku/merger-ceremony.HTML
Tomislav Šipek, 16 June 2014

The kanji character “大” (great) has been stylized to symbolize the village's rapid development and the harmony and unity of its residents.
Nozomi Kariyasu, 29 August 2026

Sanwa Village / 三和村

image by Tomislav Šipek, 16 June 2014

The flag of the former village of Sanwa was purple with mark. The village is now, from 2005, part of the city of Joetsu.
Source: http://www.city.joetsu.niigata.jp/soshiki/kikaku/merger-ceremony.HTML
Tomislav Šipek, 16 June 2014

It depicts the villagers united as one by combining three katakana characters for “Wa.”ワ.
Nozomi Kariyasu, 30 August 2026

Uragawara Village / 浦川原村

image by Tomislav Šipek, 16 June 2014

The flag of the former village of Uragawara was maroon with mark. The village is now, from 2005, part of the city of Joetsu
Source: http://www.city.joetsu.niigata.jp/soshiki/kikaku/merger-ceremony.HTML
Tomislav Šipek, 16 June 2014

The design features four katakana ウ “u” characters arranged in the shape of a clover leaf to symbolize the village's prosperity.
Nozomi Kariyasu, 31 August 2026

Yoshikawa Town / 吉川町

image by Tomislav Šipek, 16 June 2014

The flag of the former town of Yoshikawa was blue with mark. The town is now, from 2005, part of the city of Joetsu.
Source: http://www.city.joetsu.niigata.jp/soshiki/kikaku/merger-ceremony.HTML
Tomislav Šipek, 16 June 2014

The kanji character “吉川” has been stylized to resemble a young bird spreading its wings toward an orange sun.
Nozomi Kariyasu, 02 September 2026

Yasuzuka Town / 安塚町

image by Tomislav Šipek, 16 June 2014

The flag of the former town of Yasuzuka was white with mark. The town is now, from 2005, part of the city of Joetsu.
Source: http://www.city.joetsu.niigata.jp/soshiki/kikaku/merger-ceremony.HTML
Tomislav Šipek, 16 June 2014

The design is based on the kanji character for “peace” (安), with the three protrusions representing the merger of the three villages.
Nozomi Kariyasu, 01 September 2026