What is the date of National Foundation Day in Japan? Surprisingly, some Japanese people don’t even know the exact date!
Just like Australia has Australia Day, and America has Independence Day, Japan also has a special day. This day is called National Foundation Day. It happens every year on February 11th.
Even though it’s a public holiday and a day for Japanese people to show their love for their country, it’s not quite the same as similar holidays in Western countries. It’s unique, just like Japan itself! So, remember, February 11th is a special day in Japan. It’s a day of national pride and celebration. But it’s also a day that’s a little different from what you might expect. And that’s what makes it so interesting!
The First Emperor of Japan
Did you know that Japan has a special day called National Foundation Day? It’s also known as Kenkoku Kinen no Hi. This day is all about remembering the first Emperor of Japan, Jimmu. He became emperor way back in 660 BC!
At first, people celebrated this day on New Year’s Day. But in 1873, when Japan started using the Gregorian calendar, they moved the celebration to February 11th.
Jimmu was a very important person. He was a direct descendant of Amaterasu, the Shinto sun goddess. He was born on the island of Kyushu in Miyazaki Prefecture. As a leader, he fought and won battles against many tribes. His victories helped to unite Japan.
There’s a book called the Kojiki that tells many stories about Jimmu. The Kojiki, which means ‘Records of Ancient Matters’, is like a history book of Japan. It’s full of fascinating tales about Jimmu’s journeys and the legacy he left behind.
National Foundation Day in Japan was interrupted after World War 2
National Foundation Day in Japan is a bit different from similar holidays in other countries. It’s celebrated on February 11th, but it’s not as flashy as you might think!
Before World War II, people celebrated with big parties, fireworks, and parades. But after the war, the holiday was stopped for a while. It started again in 1966, but it’s not the same as before.
Now, the celebrations are smaller. Some people gather at the Imperial Palace, where the Emperor lives. There’s also a small parade in Tokyo. But that’s about it.
Interestingly, a study in 2015 found that only 19% of Japanese people know when National Foundation Day is. The study asked 10,000 adults in ten cities across Japan.
It’s pretty surprising when you compare this to a similar study. This study asked 300 foreigners living in Japan about their own country’s national day.
The people who knew the most were from China. Every single person from China knew the correct date! Next were the people from Canada. Almost all of them, 97.7% to be exact, knew their national day. The people from America were close behind, with 91.3% knowing their national day.
But what’s really interesting is that even though many Japanese people don’t know when National Foundation Day is, they still enjoy the holiday. They’re happy to have a day off, even if they’re not sure why they’re celebrating.
