About this Holiday
Respect for the Aged Day (Keirō no Hi) is a heartfelt holiday to honor elderly people for their long lives and contributions to society, and to wish them continued good health. The holiday originates from a 1947 initiative in Noma Village (now Taka-cho), Hyogo Prefecture, which declared September 15 as 'Old People's Day.' The tradition grew nationwide and was officially established in 1966. Japan, with one of the world's oldest populations, holds deep respect for its senior citizens, and the holiday falls on the third Monday of September.