Respect for the Aged Day

Respect for the Aged Day (敬老の日, Keirō no Hi) is a Japanese designated public holiday 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.

Commemorative silver sake cups

Since 1963, the Japanese government has given a commemorative silver sake cup to Japanese who reach the age of 100. In 1963 the number was 153, but with numbers increasing, the government decided to reduce the size of the cup to cut costs in 2009.^[2] In 2014 29,357 received a cup.^[3] The cost increase from this led to the government considering making the cups from a different material or simply sending a letter.^[4]

References

1. ↑ Amy Chavez (2008-09-02). "What is Respect for the Aged Day?". Retrieved 2008-09-15. 
2. ↑ Ageing Japan cuts cost of 100th birthday gifts March 3, 2009 Reuters Retrieved September 26, 2015
3. ↑ Izadi, Elahe Japan has so many super old people that it can’t afford to give them special sake cups anymore August 21, 2015 Washington Post Retrieved September 26, 2015
4. ↑ Plucinska, Joanna Japan Can’t Afford to Give Centenarians Gifts Anymore Because There Are Too Many of Them August 20, 2015 Time Magazine Retrieved September 26, 2015

External links

• Senior Citizens Are Living Treasures
• Virtual Classroom: Respect-for-the-Aged Day