Respect for the Aged Day

About Respect for the Aged Day

Respect for the Aged Day (Keiro no Hi) is a Japanese national holiday held on the third Monday of September. It honours elderly citizens, expresses gratitude for their lifelong contributions to society, and celebrates longevity. Rooted in a local post-war custom that spread nationwide, it became a fixed national holiday and later moved to a Monday to create a long weekend under the Happy Monday system.

On Respect for the Aged Day families visit or call older relatives, and children may give small gifts, flowers or handmade cards to grandparents. Local governments hold ceremonies honouring residents who have reached advanced ages, sometimes presenting gifts to new centenarians. Schools and community centres organise events, performances and shared meals bringing generations together. Media features stories on longevity and on Japan's oldest citizens, reflecting the country's ageing society.