Emperor’s Birthday in Japan

February 23 · Level 3 · #1664 of 2238

The Emperor’s Birthday is a Japanese national holiday celebrating the reigning monarch. Its place in the calendar follows the emperor’s actual birthday, so a change of sovereign can also change the holiday’s date.

How it is celebrated: the customary public greeting brings visitors into the grounds of Tokyo’s Imperial Palace. The emperor and members of the imperial family appear on a balcony, with many well-wishers waving small Japanese flags.

Japan had no Emperor’s Birthday holiday in 2019. Akihito’s abdication and Naruhito’s accession fell between their birthdays, leaving neither date as the birthday of the reigning emperor that year.

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• Defenders of the Fatherland and Armed Forces Day in Belarus
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• Beginning of Orthodox Great Lent
• World Understanding and Peace Day
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