The Emperor's Birthday

The Emperor's Birthday (天皇誕生日, Tennō Tanjōbi) is a national holiday in Japan that celebrates the birthday of the reigning emperor. For Emperor Naruhito, who ascended the Chrysanthemum Throne on May 1, 2019, the holiday is observed annually on February 23—his date of birth. The tradition of marking the emperor's birthday as a public holiday dates back to the Meiji era (1868–1912), when Emperor Meiji's birthday was first celebrated as Tenchōsetsu (天長節). After World War II, the holiday was temporarily suspended during the Allied occupation but was reinstated as a national holiday under the current Constitution of Japan, which defines the emperor as a symbol of the state and of the unity of the people. The holiday embodies Japan's enduring imperial tradition, blending historical reverence with modern constitutional monarchy. It is one of the few occasions when the public can directly witness the imperial family, reinforcing the symbolic role of the emperor in contemporary Japanese society.

The centerpiece of the Emperor's Birthday celebrations is the public ceremony held at the Imperial Palace in Tokyo. On the morning of February 23, the Imperial Palace grounds open to the public, and thousands of well-wishers gather in the inner courtyard. Emperor Naruhito, accompanied by Empress Masako and other members of the Imperial Family, appears on the balcony of the palace several times throughout the day, waving to the crowd. The atmosphere is festive, with participants waving small Japanese flags and shouting 'Banzai' (万歳, meaning 'long live the emperor') in unison. The event also includes a formal ceremony where the emperor receives greetings from the prime minister, cabinet members, and other dignitaries. Beyond the palace, the day is a national holiday, so many Japanese enjoy a day off work. Some visit local shrines to pray for the emperor's health, while others watch the live broadcasts of the palace event. A common greeting on this day is 'Omedetō gozaimasu' (おめでとうございます, 'Congratulations') directed at the emperor, though the holiday is also a time for family gatherings and reflection on Japan's cultural heritage.