Greenery Day

From Free net encyclopedia

Greenery Day (Japanese: みどりの日 Midori no hi) is one of the holidays for Japanese Citizen. It falls on April 29th until the year 2006, and from 2007 on, it will fall on May 4. It was the birthday of the Showa Emperor (Hirohito) until his death in 1989.

Since 1989, following the accession to the Chrysanthemum Throne of the current Emperor, the name "Birthday of the Emperor" was changed to "Greenery Day". As its name suggests, it is a day to commune with nature, to be thankful for blessings, and to foster an abundant spirit.

In 2007, Greenery Day will move to May 4, and April 29 will be changed to Showa Day in accordance with the revising of a law expected to be passed in the near future. The Showa Emperor reigned for 62 years and 2 weeks. On May 3, 1947, he became a symbol of Japan by the new constitution of the country.

Considered controversial even within Japan, this decision is likely to be resented by Japan's Asian neighbours who still harbour hostile feelings towards the country for its expansionist policies during the Second World War. Although this has been acknowledged by Chief Cabinet Secretary Hiroyuki Hosoda, the decision ultimately rests with the Diet.

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