Did You Know?
For the 2020 and 2021 Tokyo Olympics, Sports Day was temporarily moved from October to July so it fell around the opening ceremony.
Sports Day
🇯🇵 Japan
- Public Holiday
- Countrywide
- Fixed date
Overview
Sports Day is a Japanese national holiday that celebrates sports and an active, healthy lifestyle. Known in Japanese as Supōtsu no Hi, it is held on the second Monday of October and has carried its present name since 2020.
What It Is
On this Monday, schools, government offices, and many businesses close, creating a three-day weekend. The holiday encourages people to take part in sports and exercise. The season is also a popular time for undōkai, the school sports days that feature events such as tamaire, a ball-toss game, and performances by school clubs, although schools usually hold these on a Saturday or Sunday.
Why It Matters
The holiday traces to the opening of the Tokyo Olympics on October 10, 1964, the first Olympic Games held in Asia. In 1966 Japan created Health and Sports Day on October 10 to commemorate the Games and promote sports and healthy living. In 2000 it moved to the second Monday of October under the Happy Monday system, which creates long weekends. It was renamed Sports Day in 2020, the year Tokyo had been scheduled to host the Games again, and its stated aim is to encourage enjoyment of sports, respect for others, and a healthy, vigorous society.
Countries Celebrating
1 country
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