Holidays of Japan
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The Public Holiday Law (国民の祝日に関する法律 Kokumin no Shukujitsu ni Kansuru Hōritsu?) of 1948 (as amended) establishes the occasions on which Japan has a legal holiday. This article lists those dates.
A provision of the law establishes that when a national holiday lands on a Sunday, the next day (Monday) shall become a public holiday. (Such days are commonly known as furikae kyūjitsu (振替休日? lit. transfer holiday).) If the Monday is also a public holiday, the transfer holiday is moved to the Tuesday (such as Greenery Day being transferred to Tuesday May 6, 2008). Additionally, when a day is sandwiched between two national holidays, that day shall also become a holiday, known as kokumin no kyūjitsu (国民の休日? lit. national day of rest). May 4, sandwiched between Constitution Memorial Day on May 3 and Children's Day on May 5, was such a holiday until it was replaced by Greenery Day in 2007. By the same law, September 22, 2009 is supposed to be a national holiday because the autumnal equinox is expected to land on September 23 that year; however, the date of the autumnal equinox will not be officially decided until February 1 of that year.
Contents |
[edit] Table of Japanese holidays
| Name | Date | Remarks |
|---|---|---|
| New Year's Day 元日 |
January 1 | This national holiday was established in 1948, as a day to celebrate the new year. New Year's Day marks the beginning of Japan's most important holiday season, the New Year season (正月 Shogatsu?), which generally refers to the first one, three or seven days of the year. Although not prescribed by law, many workplaces are closed from December 29 to January 3. Prior to 1948, January 1 was a national holiday on which the imperial worship ceremony known as Shihō-hai (四方拝?) took place. |
| Coming-of-Age Day 成人の日 |
Second Monday of January | This national holiday was established in 1948 as a day to congratulate and encourage people who have reached the age of majority (20) during the year. Cities and towns throughout the nation hold ceremonies for these people. Originally held on January 15, in 2000 it was changed to the second Monday of January in accordance with the Happy Monday System. (See below.) |
| National Foundation Day 建国記念の日 |
February 11 | This national holiday was established in 1966 (and first held in 1967) as a day to reflect on the establishment of the nation and to nourish a love for the country. From 1872 to 1948, February 11 was known as Kigen-setsu (紀元節?), a holiday commemorating the day on which—according to the Nihon-shoki—Emperor Jimmu is said to have acceded the throne in 660 BCE. |
| Vernal equinox 春分の日 |
Around March 21[1] | This national holiday was established in 1948 as a day for the admiration of nature and the love of living things. Prior to 1948, the vernal equinox was an imperial ancestor worship festival called Shunki kōrei-sai (春季皇霊祭?). |
| Shōwa Day 昭和の日 |
April 29 | This national holiday was established in 2007 as a day to reflect on the events of the Shōwa period. As the birthday of the Shōwa Emperor, April 29 was originally celebrated as a holiday during his lifetime. (See "The Emperor's Birthday" below.) After the death of the emperor in 1989, the date continued to be a holiday under the new name "Greenery Day". (See also below.) In 2007, Greenery Day was moved to May 4, and April 29 took the name "Shōwa Day" in honor of the late Emperor. Shōwa Day marks the start of the Golden Week holiday period. |
| Constitution Memorial Day 憲法記念日 |
May 3 | This national holiday was established in 1948, to commemorate the day on which Japan's postwar constitution took effect. Constitution Memorial Day falls during Golden Week. |
| Greenery Day みどりの日 |
May 4 | This national holiday is celebrated as a day to commune with nature and be grateful for its blessings. Originally established in 1989 and held annually on April 29 (the late Shōwa Emperor's birthday), in 2007, Greenery Day was moved to May 4, and April 29 was renamed "Shōwa Day" (See above.) Greenery Day falls during Golden Week. (NB: From 1986 to 2006, May 4 was a holiday known as Kokumin no kyūjitsu (国民の休日? lit. national day of rest) in accord with Japanese law, which stipulates that any weekday that falls between two holidays shall also be a holiday.) |
| Children's Day こどもの日 |
May 5 | This national holiday was established in 1948, as a day on which to esteem the personalities of children and plan for their happiness. It is on this day that the Japanese equivalent of the Dragon Boat Festival (端午の節句 Tango no sekku?) is held. On this day, families who have a boy in their home may fly koi streamers and decorate their homes with armor or samurai dolls. Children's Day marks the end of Golden Week. |
| Marine Day 海の日 |
Third Monday of July | This national holiday was established in 1995 (and first held in 1996) as a day of gratitude for the blessings of the oceans and for hoping for the prosperity of the maritime nation that is Japan. Originally held on July 20, in 2003 it was changed to the third Monday of July in accordance with the Happy Monday System. (See below.) |
| Respect-for-the-Aged Day 敬老の日 |
Third Monday of September | This national holiday was established in 1966 as a day to respect the elderly and celebrate long life. Originally held on September 15, it originated as a renaming of Old Folks' Day (老人の日 Rōjin no hi?). In 2003, it was changed to the third Monday of September in accordance with the Happy Monday System. (See below.) |
| Autumnal equinox 秋分の日 |
Around September 23[2] | This national holiday was established in 1948 as a day on which to honor one's ancestors and remember the dead. Prior to 1948, the autumnal equinox was an imperial ancestor worship festival called Shūki kōrei-sai (秋季皇霊祭?). |
| Health and Sports Day 体育の日 |
Second Monday of October | This national holiday was established in 1966 as a day on which to enjoy sports and cultivate a healthy mind and body. Originally held on October 10th to commemorate the anniversary of the opening ceremony of the 1964 Tokyo Olympics, in 2000 it was changed to the second Monday of October in accordance with the Happy Monday System. (See below.) |
| Culture Day 文化の日 |
November 3 | This national holiday was established in 1948. It commemorates the November 3, 1946 announcement of the Constitution. It is recognized as a day to celebrate peace and freedom and promote culture. (NB: Although prior to the establishment of this holiday in 1948, November 3 was also a national holiday called Meiji-setsu (明治節?) commemorating the birthday of the Meiji Emperor, the two holidays are ostensibly unrelated.) |
| Labor Thanksgiving Day 勤労感謝の日 |
November 23 | This national holiday was established in 1948 as an occasion for praising labor, celebrating production and giving one another thanks. Prior to the establishment of this holiday, November 23rd was celebrated as an imperial harvest festival called Niiname-sai (新嘗祭?). |
| The Emperor's Birthday 天皇誕生日 |
December 23 | The birthday of the reigning emperor has been a national holiday since 1868. Originally known as Tenchō-setsu (天長節?), it was renamed Tennō tanjōbi (天皇誕生日?) in 1948. It is currently celebrated on December 23; Emperor Akihito was born on this day in 1933. (NB: Prior to the death of Emperor Hirohito in 1989, this holiday was celebrated on April 29. See "Shōwa Day" above.) |
[edit] Events of imperial mourning and celebration
In addition to the annual holidays listed above, certain events of celebration or mourning related to the imperial family are also treated as national holidays in the year in which they occur.
There have been four instances of such holidays since the introduction of the Public Holiday Law.
- April 10, 1959: Marriage of Crown Prince Akihito
- February 24, 1989: State Funeral of the Shōwa Emperor
- November 12, 1990: Official Enthronement Ceremony of Emperor Akihito
- June 9, 1993: Marriage of Crown Prince Naruhito
[edit] Recent changes
Beginning in 2000, Japan implemented the Happy Monday System (ハッピーマンデー制度) which moved a number of national holidays to Monday in order to obtain a "long weekend":
- Coming-of-Age Day: January 15 → 2nd Monday of January, starting in 2000.
- Marine Day: July 20 → 3rd Monday of July, starting in 2003.
- Respect for the Aged Day: September 15 → 3rd Monday of September, starting in 2003.
- Health and Sports Day: October 10 → 2nd Monday of October, starting in 2000.
In 2005, the country decided to add Showa Day, a new national holiday, in place of Greenery Day on April 29, and to move Greenery Day to May 4. These changes took effect in 2007.
[edit] Footnotes
- ^ The vernal equinox generally falls on March 20 or March 21. The exact date of the holiday is announced on the first weekday of February of the previous year.
- ^ The autumnal equinox generally falls on September 22 or September 23. The exact date of the holiday is announced on the first weekday of February of the previous year.
