When is Japan's National Day? Japan actually has two National Days.

When is Japan's National Day? There are two days related to National Day in Japan, namely National Foundation Day and Emperor's Birthday. Next, let’s take a closer look at it.

When is Japan's National Day?

National Foundation Day Date: February 11th of each year Emperor's Birthday Date: December 23rd of each year The term "National Day" originally refers to national celebrations. In ancient times, the emperor's accession to the throne and birthday were called "National Day". The National Day we are talking about now is the anniversary of the founding of the country. According to Japanese folklore, Emperor Jimmu unified Japan and established the Republic of Japan on February 11, 600 BC, so the National Foundation Day is celebrated on February 11 every year. However, Japan's National Day is the same as that of the United Kingdom, in that it is the birthday of the reigning constitutional monarch. Today's National Day is December 23, which is the birthday of the current emperor.

The Origin of the Emperor's Birthday

The Emperor's Birthday is also called Tencho Festival, which gets its name from the birthday of Emperor Xuanzong of Tang during the Tang Dynasty in China. In the 17th year of Kaiyuan in the Tang Dynasty (729), it was renamed "Qianqiu Festival", and 20 years later, in the 7th year of Tianbao, it was renamed "Tianchang Festival". Tianchang comes from the term "forever" in Laozi. Before World War II, it was called Tencho Festival, and later it was changed to the Emperor's Birthday. Japan's current Emperor Akihito was born on December 23, 1933, so the Emperor's birthday is now December 23 every year. This day is also called "Emperor Akihito's Birthday" and is a holiday stipulated in the Japanese Constitution.