The government on Friday announced a list of national holidays for 2020, which includes a new Emperor's Birthday and holidays that have been moved due to the Tokyo Olympic Games.
According to the list, the Emperor's Birthday, currently on Dec. 23, will be changed to Feb. 23, following Crown Prince Naruhito's accession to the throne on May 1 this year.
Three holidays will fall on different dates to regular years due to the opening and closing ceremonies of the Tokyo Olympics.
Marine Day, normally on the third Monday in July, will be moved to July 23, the eve of the opening ceremony of the Games.
The name of Health-Sports Day will be changed to Sports Day from 2020. Currently set for the second Monday in October, it will be held on July 24 next year, the day the Olympics' opening ceremony is scheduled to be held.
Aug. 11, Mountain Day, will be moved to Aug. 10, the day following the Games' closing ceremony.
These changes are effective only for 2020. By setting public holidays on such dates, the government aims to avoid transport congestion caused by commuters going to work and school and smoothly provide security in the vicinity of the venues where Olympic events will be held.
The National Astronomical Observatory of Japan on Friday released its 2020 calendar overview, in which it determined Vernal Equinox Day will occur on March 20 and Autumnal Equinox Day on Sept. 22. Subsequently, the government finalized the list of national holidays.
Read more from The Japan News at https://japannews.yomiuri.co.jp/
