建国記念日 - National Foundation Day

National Foundation Day is a national holiday which was created by the National Holidays Act. This holiday falls on February 11th. Legend says that it was on February 11th that Jimmu, the first emperor of Japan, ascended the throne and started the nation. Before World War II February 11th was called Kigensetsu after this legend. The day was designated as a public holiday for the entire nation to celebrate the enthronement of Jimmu and the birth of Japan. This holiday was abolished by Japan’s new constitution after the war which was written to prevent the rebirth of prewar imperialism. In 1966, however, the Japanese Government decided to designate this day as a national holiday again under the name of National Foundation Day. Since this holiday is strongly associated with nationalism, many people, fearing the restoration of prewar imperialism and militarism, are discussing whether or not it is right to designate this day as a national holiday.

「国民の祝日に関する法律」によって定められた国民の祝日のうちの一つで、2月11日がこの日に当たります。伝説によると、この日にわが国初代の神武天皇が即位し、日本国が始められました。戦前はこの伝説にちなんで「紀元節」という名の祝日が定められ、神武天皇の即位と日本国の誕生を国をあげて祝いました。この祝日は、第2次世界大戦後帝国主義の崩壊に伴っていったん廃止されましたが、1966年に「建国記念日」という新しい名称で復活しました。この祝日は国家主義的色彩が強く、この日を国民の祝日にすることによって戦前の帝国主義・軍国主義が復活するのではないかと懸念する人も多くいます。