{"id":62852,"date":"2017-09-18T09:00:07","date_gmt":"2017-09-18T00:00:07","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/cotoacademy.com\/respect-for-the-aged-day\/"},"modified":"2025-07-04T14:56:54","modified_gmt":"2025-07-04T05:56:54","slug":"respect-for-the-aged-day-%e6%95%ac%e8%80%81%e3%81%ae%e6%97%a5-more-than-just-about-ages","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/cotoacademy.com\/ja\/respect-for-the-aged-day-%E6%95%AC%E8%80%81%E3%81%AE%E6%97%A5-more-than-just-about-ages\/","title":{"rendered":"Respect for the Aged Day (\u656c\u8001\u306e\u65e5): More than just about ages"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

What started as a local custom at a village in Hyogo Prefecture<\/a>, Respect for the Aged Day (Keiro no Hi, \u656c\u8001\u306e\u65e5)<\/strong> later became a nationwide celebration dedicated to our elders and their countless contributions to society. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Originally called \u2018Old Folks Day\u2019, it became a national holiday in 1966 and it occurs on the third Monday of every September. This year it takes place on 18th September.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Why is Valuing Elderly Citizens Important?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

For those of us who weren\u2019t born and raised in Japan, the cultural differences between Japan and our home country can be many. One thing most of us have probably noticed though, is Japan\u2019s respect for its elders. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

How frequently are you asked for your age in Japan? Have you ever been asked your age by a stranger?<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Back in the UK, this could be quite rude. But in Japan, this isn\u2019t meant to offend us. Far from it. In most cases, people want to ascertain how old we are to ensure that they speak to us using the most polite language. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

With Japanese having three different forms of language: casual, polite and honorific. When we speak to someone with more years behind them, in most cases we would use keigo \u2013 an honorific form of language.<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Japan and Palau are the only countries in the world to have national holidays dedicated to the elderly but the symbolism of this day is relevant to everyone. Most of us, at some point in our lives, will move away from home, and as a result, we see less-and-less of our parents and grandparents. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

This holiday is a welcome reminder to treasure the older population; to listen to them, learn from them and support them as much as possible. If you haven’t seen them in a while, simply call them out for lunch and go” Hisashiburi desu<\/a>“! It may seem like a small act but a little does go a long way!<\/p>\n\n\n\n

After all, it is through the older generations that we can learn from their mistakes, learn their traditions and use their experience to make better decisions.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

How has the Holiday Changed Since it Started?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Respect for the Aged Day took place annually on 15th September – until 2003 – when it was moved under the Happy Monday System to create a three-day weekend.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Since the date change, the government has altered the commemoration gift. Originally, anyone who reached triple-digits in the 12 months prior received a solid silver sake<\/a> cup. Whilst this may sound slightly extravagant to some of us, until now there only 153 people who qualified for the gift.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Jumping forward to over 50 years later, Japan now has the largest percentage of centenarians on the planet \u2013 around 30,000. So, rightly or wrongly, in 2016 the government decided to reduce costs by replacing the traditional cups with silver-plated ones.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

How is the Respect for the Aged Day Celebrated?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

There are a few traditional ways to mark this day. First and foremost, with the three-day weekend now available, many people are able to return home to celebrate with their loved ones. Secondly, volunteers in some neighbourhoods help to produce and distribute free bento lunch-boxes<\/a> to older citizens.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Smaller communities also provide various keirokai shows, where teenagers and children perform dances and songs for the elderly. Lastly, the Japanese media take this opportunity to honour our older citizens by featuring special programmes dedicated to them.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

There are other various traditions surrounding this day, but it greatly depends upon the community!<\/p>\n\n\n\n

How You Can Commemorate the Day in and around Tokyo<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
    \n
  1. Connect with your elders directly. If you\u2019re unable to spend time together in-person, then a simple call, letter or message can go a long way \u2013 especially if they aren\u2019t expecting it.<\/li>\n\n\n\n
  2. Small acts of kindness are contagious. You can be especially kind to older people on this day by offering to carry bags (especially up steps!), holding open doors and offering your seat on the train or bus.<\/li>\n\n\n\n
  3. Ask your local community centre if they are running any activities for residents and if you can volunteer.<\/li>\n\n\n\n
  4. Watch one of the Japanese feature-programmes about Japan\u2019s older population.<\/li>\n\n\n\n
  5. As Mahatma Gandhi said, \u201clive as if you were to die tomorrow, learn as if you were to live forever.\u201d Our elders possess a wealth of knowledge and they are often very willing to share it. Why not ask about their experiences with something that matters to you? You can offer a favour to them in return.<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n\n\n\n

    Want to find out about other holidays in Japan? Why not try checking out Japan’s Labour Thanksgiving Day!<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

    Are you interested in learning more about the Japanese language and culture? Check out our full time and part time courses!<\/h3>\n\n\n[contact-form-7 id=”12634″ title=”Inquiry Form_copy”]\n\n\n\n
    \n\n\n\n
    Coto Japanese Academy is a unique Japanese Language School in Iidabashi Tokyo, we offer relaxed and fun conversational lessons for all levels of Japanese learner. Coto Japanese Academy prides itself on its community atmosphere and fun lessons that focus on creation of opportunities to speak and learn Japanese. If you are interested in studying Japanese in Tokyo – please visit our contact page here.<\/a><\/em><\/span><\/div>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

    The values behind Respect-for-the-Aged Day are important reminders for all of us. But why? <\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":6,"featured_media":68535,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"content-type":"","footnotes":""},"categories":[9],"tags":[37,61,112,113,140,152,162,163,164,189,236,261,306],"class_list":["post-62852","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-japan-life","tag-business","tag-coto-japanese-academy","tag-holiday-in-japan","tag-holidays","tag-japanese","tag-japanese-classes","tag-japanese-holiday","tag-japanese-holidays","tag-japanese-language","tag-japanese-school","tag-learn-japanese","tag-national-holidays-in-japan","tag-study-japanese"],"yoast_head":"\nRespect for the Aged Day: From local to national celebration<\/title>\n<meta name=\"description\" content=\"In Japan the values behind the Respect for the Aged Day are important reminders for all of us. 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