Emperor's Birthday

Emperor’s Birthday (天皇誕生日, Tennō Tanjōbi) is a Japanese public holiday that celebrates the birthday of the reigning emperor. In 2025, it falls on February 23, marking the birthday of Emperor Naruhito, the 126th emperor of Japan, who has reigned since May 1, 2019, following the abdication of his father, Emperor Akihito.

The celebration of an emperor’s birthday as a public holiday was officially established during the Meiji Restoration (1868–1912). At that time, the emperor was regarded as a divine figure, believed to be a direct descendant of the sun goddess Amaterasu, according to Shinto mythology. After Japan’s defeat in World War II, the emperor renounced his divine status, but he remained the symbol of the nation and unity of the people. In 1948, the birthday of the reigning emperor was officially designated as a national holiday.

Some former emperors' birthdays have been repurposed into separate holidays. For example, April 29, the birthday of Emperor Hirohito (Shōwa) (1926–1989), is now observed as Shōwa Day, part of Golden Week. Similarly, November 3, the birthday of Emperor Meiji (Mutsuhito) (1867–1912), is now known as Culture Day (文化の日, Bunka no Hi), celebrating arts, academia, and freedom.

The Emperor’s Birthday celebrations follow a precise schedule. At 9:30 a.m., the Imperial Palace gates open, allowing visitors to enter the palace grounds and personally greet the emperor. By 10:20 a.m., as thousands of people wave Japanese flags, the imperial family appears on the glass-protected balcony. The emperor then delivers a speech of gratitude and well-wishes to the gathered citizens. In the afternoon, visitors can write and leave messages for the emperor in a special book in the gardens of the Imperial Palace, with thousands of people typically offering their wishes for his good health and continued service.

Although the role of the emperor is largely symbolic today, he remains an important symbol and representative of Japan. Emperor Naruhito is known for his dedication to environmental and water issues, as well as his involvement in humanitarian efforts and cultural diplomacy.