Urasoe [Okinawa prefecture Japan]

The indigo blue background brings to mind the deep blue of the Bingata stencil dyed fabric that is one of Urasoe City's proud traditional arts and expresses our optimism for eternal progress. The color white in the emblem symbolizes improvement toward a bright and healthy life for our citizens.

This emblem symbolizes the limitless progress of peace and homeland. Japanese phonetic characters are used as the base for the design. The character that is pronounced "U" expresses the attitude of eternal progress. The four characters are placed in a circle that stands for peace and harmony.

Source: Urasoe profile
Dov Gutterman, 31 December 2002

---

Emblem adopted by Regulation No. 2: 26 June 1961; adoption date of flag: 8 May 1974 by Notice No 29

flag proportion: 2:3; colour of field: blue

colour of emblem and city kanji name: white; a stylized katakana URASOE　ウラソエ; diameter of emblem: 7/10 flag height
Nozomi Kariyasu, 25 February 2006

---

The emblem symbolises a peaceful homeland which infinitely progresses. The katakan u ウ rising up out of the circle has the posture of eternal progress, and the four katakana form a circle, representing peace/harmony. (I can't see where the katakana e エ is featured in the emblem!)

The indigo blue displays the traditional "Urasoe-style" blue used in traditional Bingata stencil dyed fabric, and symbolises the city infinitely progressing. The emblem's white signifies improvement to a cheerful, healthy city lifestyle.

I don't see any evidence that the flag is used with the city name in kanji: 浦添市 Urasoe-shi.

Interestingly, at http://8761234.jp/gikai/kekka/ikensyo/hinomaru.htm is a resolution of the city assembly on 29 March, resolving to fly the national flag as well as the city flag from the city hall.
Jonathan Dixon, 26 May 2006