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Public Holidays
Japan
JAN
01
THURSDAY
New Year's Day
jan
12
TUESDAY
Coming of Age Day
FEB
11
WEDNESDAY
National Foundation Day
National Foundation Day in Japan falls every 11 February. This holiday was originally observed on the first day of the first month of the Japanese lunisolar calendar, but now it is kept according to the Gregorian Calendar.
FEB
23
MONDAY
The Emperor’s Birthday
The Emperor’s Birthday is one of the most important holidays for Japanese citizens and has long been celebrated on 23 December. However, the holiday will not be observed in 2019 as Emperor Akihito is scheduled to abdicate on 30 April 2019, and Crown Prince Naruhito will ascend the throne. The Emperor’s Birthday will be celebrated on 23 February from year 2020 onwards.
MAR
20
FRIDAY
Vernal Equinox Day
The coming of spring is given much prominence in Japanese culture. And thus, it’s not surprising that Vernal Equinox Day has national holiday status. The day will come on either 20 or 21 March since Japan lies in the Northern Hemisphere.
APR
29
wednesday
Shōwa Day
Shōwa Day, or “Emperor’s Birthday”, is a public holiday in Japan that commemorates the birthday of the Emperor Shōwa, who reigned from 1926 until 1989. Emperor Shōwa is also known as “Hirohito”. The holiday falls on 29 April each year.
may
03
Saturday
Constitution Memorial Day
Constitution Memorial Day is celebrated every 3 May in Japan to remember the establishment of a new constitution for the country in 1947 after the fall of the Japanese Empire during World War II.
may
04
monday
Greenery Day
Constitution Memorial Day is celebrated every 3 May in Japan to remember the establishment of a new constitution for the country in 1947 after the fall of the Japanese Empire during World War II.
may
05
tuesday
Children’s Day
Every 5 May is Children’s Day in Japan. This has been a traditional celebration in Japan for centuries, but it only became an official public holiday in 1948. This is the last of the four holidays that occur during the annual vacation time in Japan known as “Golden Week”.
may
06
wednesday
Constitution Memorial Day
Labor Day in the Philippines is a public holiday every 1 May to celebrate the Filipino worker. It is a chance to remember hard-won workers’ rights.
jul
20
monday
Marine Day
Japan celebrates Marine Day on the third Monday of July. This holiday is designed to direct attention to the great blessings and economic prosperity that Japan has derived from its surrounding oceans over the centuries.
aug
11
tuesday
Mountain Day
Mountain Day is the most recent addition to a long list of Japanese national holidays. It was first announced in 2014 and first celebrated in 2016. It occurs every 11 August and is meant to honour the mountainous terrain and ecosystems of Japan’s islands and the ancient cultural traditions that are connected with that geography.
sep
21
monday
Respect for the Aged Day
Respect for the Aged Day in Japan is held every third Monday of September. This national holiday is meant to honour all elderly citizens of the country for their many contributions to family and society throughout their long lives.
sep
22
tuesday
Bridge Holiday
sep
23
sunday
Autumnal Equinox Day
On either 28 or 29 September, at the autumn equinox in the Northern Hemisphere, Japan observes Autumnal Equinox Day. This has been a public holiday since 1948. Earlier, the same date was the time of the Shinto holiday “Shuki Koreisai”, but separation of state and religion led to the secularisation of that under the 1948 constitution.
oct
12
Monday
Health and Sports Day
Health and Sports Day in Japan is observed every second Monday of October. This holiday is intended to encourage appreciation of and participation in sports and the following of an active lifestyle. The date is based on the 1964 Summer Olympics, which were held in Tokyo.
nov
03
tuesday
Culture Day
Every 3 November is Culture Day in Japan. Culture Day is a holiday specifically dedicated to celebrating Japanese culture, the arts, and excellence in academics.
nov
23
monday
Labour Thanks giving Day
Each 23 November is “Japanese Thanksgiving”. More properly, the holiday is called “Labour Thanksgiving Day” and is more like a combination of the Thanks giving and Labour Day holidays of other countries. The day is dedicated to being thankful for the hard work of the workers of Japan of all walks of life.