This article explores the origin and usage of both the terms Japan and Nippon, which are commonly used to refer to the nation of Japan. "Nippon" is an old Japanese word that literally translates to “Sun Origin” or “Origin of the Sun” and was first used in the 8th century. The name “Japan” originated from Chinese characters that mean “sun-origin” or “origin-of-the-sun”. It is believed that the use of "Japan" stems from a combination of geography and culture. During The Meiji Restoration in 1868, Emperor Meiji declared that "Japan" should be used instead of Nippon when referring to his nation both domestically and internationally. Today, both terms are still widely used throughout Japan but with slightly different meanings; while "Nippon" generally refers specifically to mainland Japan itself, "Japan" may also include other territories such as Okinawa or Ryu