Greenery Day

April 29

This day formerly observed the birthday of Emperor Hirohito of Japan (1901-1989), who was the world's longest ruling monarch. His reign included the attempted military conquest of Asia, the attack on the United States at Pearl Harbor, and his country's defeat after the U.S. dropped atomic bombs on Hiroshima and Nagasaki. He also oversaw Japan's post-war resurgence to a position of economic strength and influence. Hirohito renounced his divinity in 1946 and became a symbolic head of state in Japan's new parliamentary democracy.
Today this day is celebrated as Greenery Day— Midori-no-Hi —with parades featuring elaborate floats, paper lanterns, traditional Japanese costumes, and fireworks. Popular places from which to observe the festivities in Tokyo include Tokyo Tower, the highest structure in the city, and Shiba Park. People also mark the day by planting trees and other activities centered around the appreciation of nature.
Greenery Day begins Golden Week, which also includes Japan Constitution Memorial Day (May 3) and Kodomo-no-Hi (Children's Day, May 5). It is a popular time for people to take vacations and enjoy the spring weather.

CONTACTS:
Japan Information Network, Japan Center for Intercultural Communications
2-7-7 Hirakawacho
Chiyodaku
Tokyo, 102-0093 Japan
81-3-3263-5041; fax: 81-3-3230-4107
home.jcic.or.jp/en/index-e.html

SOURCES:
AnnivHol-2000, p. 70
BkFest-1937, p. 198
NatlHolWrld-1968, p. 52

Celebrated in: Japan

Mentioned in

References in periodicals archive

The days off will include the Showa Era Day festivities (April 29), the abdication day (April 30), the ascension to the throne (May 1), Constitution Memorial Day (May 3), the Greenery Day (May 4) and Children's Day (May 5).

Workaholic Japan begins unprecedented 10-day break today

From 2007, this national holiday will be renamed Showa Day, while Greenery Day will be moved to May 4.

From 2007, Greenery Day, currently celebrated on April 29, will be moved to May 4.

Golden Week in Japan

One possibility is to time her visit with Greenery Day, the Japanese national holiday on April 29, which is designed to promote environmental awareness.

Nobel laureate Maathai plans to visit Japan in 2005

Regarding the holiday-studded Golden Week, a bill to revise the National Holidays Law, to change April 29 -- the late Emperor Showa's birthday -- from Greenery Day into ''Showa Day'' has been submitted to the Diet.

Japanese editorial excerpts -2-

The House of Councillors is set to pass legislation Friday to create a Showa Day in memory of the late Emperor Showa and shift the Greenery Day now marked on his birthday, April 29, to May 4 in a sleight of legislative hand that would consolidate Japan's Golden Week holidays.

Lower house passes Showa Day bill, consolidates Golden Week+

The Democratic Party of Japan (DPJ) has decided to support a ruling coalition-backed bill to change the name of the April 29 national holiday Greenery Day to Showa Day, and move the date of Greenery Day to May 4, DPJ lawmakers said Tuesday.

Under the bill, ''Midori no Hi'' (Greenery Day) on April 29 will have its name changed to ''Showa no Hi'' (Showa Day), and Greenery Day will then be shifted to May 4.

DPJ supports bill to change Greenery Day to Showa Day

The House of Representatives endorsed a bill Thursday to change the name of the April 29 Greenery Day national holiday to Showa Day, and move the date of Greenery Day to May 4, already a holiday.

The new law, if enacted, would change April 29 to Showa Day and Greenery Day would shift to May 4, currently a specially designated ''between day'' holiday creating a longer vacation period by linking it with Constitution Day on May 3 and Children's Day on May 5 during Japan's Golden Week holidays.

LEAD: Lower house OKs to change Greenery Day to Showa Day