Respect for the Aged Day is a Japanese holiday celebrated annually on the third Monday of September. Initially, the day was fixed to September 15, however, in 2003 the government implemented the Happy Monday System, which moved a number of public holidays to Mondays, creating a three-day weekend for those who work. Respect for the Aged Day, known as 'Keiro no Hi' in Japanese, is a day to honor and show appreciation towards the elderly for their contributions, granting them love, respect, and care.
The holiday was first observed in 1947 in a small town in Hyogo Prefecture, to celebrate the lives of the elderly citizens. The national government recognized the day as a national holiday in 1966. On this day, many communities host special events and festivities specially designed for the elderly. In some places, volunteers distribute free bento lunches to senior citizens, while school children perform shows and concerts.
In addition to celebrating the longevity and wisdom of Japan's senior citizens, 'Keiro no Hi' is an opportunity for younger generations to not only assist and provide for their elderly parents or relatives but also to learn from their well-lived experiences. The holiday is also significant because of Japan's high living standards leading to a high prevalence of elderly people. This day reminds Japanese society of the increasing health and societal issues related to an aging population and stimulates further discussions on these topics.