Birthday of the Emperor of Japan (23/02)

Birthday of the Emperor of Japan (Japanese. 天天田生日) — is an official public holiday in the country. It coincides with the actual birthday of the reigning Emperor Naruhito of Japan and is celebrated on February 23.

Naruhito received his royal powers on May 1, 2019 as a result of the abdication of his father, Emperor Akihito, who voluntarily left the throne and retired, transferring the throne to his eldest son. Akihito became the first emperor to abdicate the throne in the last two hundred years (after Emperor Kokaku).

On the emperor's birthday, everyone can come to the territory of the imperial palace for the second time in the year (except for the New Year) and congratulate the emperor. In general, the entire holiday program is described in great detail in order to eliminate misunderstandings and unforeseen situations during the celebration ritual. The imperial family goes out onto the veranda of the palace and appears before the Japanese, who have come to see and greet their emperor.

Amid incessant cries of greeting, against the backdrop of a sea of flags with the coat of arms of Japan, the emperor makes a short speech — words of gratitude to the people, wishes and words of blessing.

In the afternoon, from half past one for three hours, tables with writing materials were installed on the territory of the Imperial Palace, and the gates were open to everyone who arrived to write congratulations and wishes to the emperor. The Japanese wish their emperor health, long life and, as much as possible, tireless activities to strengthen Japan's national pride.

Every year on this day, more than 20 thousand Japanese leave their sincere greetings.

The ruling Emperor Naruhito devotes a significant part of his time to resolving issues of charity, as well as environmental issues, among which the most important place is occupied by issues of preserving the planet's water reserves. This area of activity occupied Naruhito even when he was still heir to the throne. Other areas of the emperor's activities include patronage of the Japanese Olympic Committee and membership in the International Olympic Committee, support for the Japanese Boy Scout movement, and serving as honorary vice president of the Japanese Red Cross Society.

Interest in the imperial family in Japan is very high, and the attitude of the vast majority of Japanese is favorably enthusiastic. The media periodically delight the people by broadcasting news from the imperial dynasty.

History suggests that the first celebration of the emperor's birthday was held during the Nara era, around 775. Until the end of World War II in 1945, the emperor was a «living God» for the Japanese, but defeat in the war and the removal of divinity by Emperor Showa served to create a new consciousness and create new ideals.

Now the emperor in Japan is a — symbol of the nation and a representative of the world's oldest imperial dynasty. In 1948, according to Law «On National Holidays», the emperor's birthday became a national holiday and a national day off.

Interestingly, the birthdays of the last emperors « are immortalized by national holidays in Japan. Emperor Meiji's birthday, November 3, became Culture Day, and Emperor Showa's birthday, April 29, has been called Showa Day since 2007.

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