Showa Day

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Showa Day is a new Japanese holiday which has a somewhat controversial background.

Prior to 1989, 29th April each year was celebrated as the Birthday of Emperor Hirohito, known posthumously as the Showa Emperor. With the accession of Emperor Akihito in 1989 the name of the celebration was changed to "Greenery Day" which, as the name suggests, is a day to celebrate nature in all of its forms. In that sense, it is similar to, but not "related to", Arbor/Arbour Day elsewhere in the world.

However, it was no secret that Emperor Hirohito was a very keen gardener and lover of plants so the name Greenery Day was a covert but lasting link with his memory.

Following a revision of laws relating to public holidays in 2005, a number of holidays are being moved, re-named, dropped and introduced during 2007. Greenery Day is one such holiday and will now be celebrated (for the first time) on 4th May 2007. Its association with Emperor Hirohito will also diminish in significance as the new holiday, on 29th April, is called Showa Day, a direct celebration of Hirohito and his 62 year, 14 day reign as the Showa Emperor.

Hirohito succeeded to the Chrysanthemum Throne on 25th December 1926 and died on 7th January 1889. The decision to formally celebrate his reign has angered many Japanese because of his war-time record and Japan’s Imperialistic stance prior to the enforced constitutional reforms of 1947.

Showa Day will become, and Greenery Day will remain, one of the four holidays held in rapid succession at the end of April and beginning of May and known as "Golden Week".

When Showa Day falls on a Sunday, then the following Monday will be a holiday as well.