Greenery Day (Japan)

The present observation of Greenery Day as a public holiday in Japan stems from the celebration of the birthday of the Emperor Shōwa on April 29 every year during the Shōwa era (1926–1989). In 1989, following the ascension of the Emperor Akihito to the Chrysanthemum Throne, the name of the holiday was changed from "Birthday of the Emperor" to "Greenery Day". Officially, as its name suggests, it is a day to commune with nature and to be thankful for blessings. The day was renamed to "Greenery Day" to acknowledge the controversial wartime emperor's love for plants without directly mentioning his name. However, in practice it is seen as just another day that expands the Japanese Golden Week vacation.