About this Holiday
National Foundation Day commemorates the traditional founding of Japan, based on the legendary accession of Emperor Jimmu, the first Emperor, in 660 BCE according to the Nihon Shoki. The holiday was originally established as Kigensetsu in the Meiji era, abolished after World War II, and reinstated as National Foundation Day in 1966 to reflect on the nation's origins and foster national pride. Observed on February 11 each year.