| Respect for the Aged Day | |
|---|---|
| Official name | 敬老の日 (Keirō no Hi) |
| Observed by | Japan |
| Type | Public |
| Significance | Honor elderly citizens |
| Date | Third Monday in September |
| 2023 date | September 18 |
| 2024 date | September 16 |
| 2025 date | September 15 |
| 2026 date | September 21 |
| Frequency | annual |
Respect for the Aged Day (敬老の日, Keirō no Hi) is a public holiday in Japan celebrated annually to honor elderly citizens.[1] It started in 1966 as a national holiday and was held on every September 15. Since 2003, Respect for the Aged Day is held on the third Monday of September due to the Happy Monday System.
This national holiday traces its origins to 1947, when Nomadani-mura (later Yachiyo-cho, currently Taka-cho), Hyōgo Prefecture, proclaimed September 15 Old Folks' Day (Toshiyori no Hi). Its popularity spread nationwide, and in 1966 it took its present name and status. Annually, Japanese media take the opportunity to feature the elderly, reporting on the population and highlighting the oldest people in the country.