OFW Resource Hub

Japan is well known for its respect for elderly people, and one national holiday highlights this value :

敬老の日（けいろうのひ / Keirō no Hi）

Respect for the Aged Day

Celebrated every third Monday of September, Respect for the Aged Day is an official Japanese national holiday dedicated to honoring elderly people and celebrating their longevity.

For Filipino OFWs living in Japan, understanding this holiday can help you appreciate an important part of Japanese culture—especially if you work in caregiving, healthcare, hospitality, or community services.

1. What Is Respect for the Aged Day?

Respect for the Aged Day（敬老の日 / Keirō no Hi） is one of Japan's national holidays.

It falls on :

The third Monday of September

The official purpose of the holiday is to honor elderly people who have contributed to society for many years and celebrate their longevity.

In 2026, Respect for the Aged Day falls on :

Monday, September 21, 2026

Because it falls on a Monday, many people who normally have weekends off can enjoy a three-day weekend.

2. What Does “Keirō no Hi” Mean?

Let's break down the Japanese :

敬（Kei） – Respect / honor

老（Rō） – Old age / elderly

日（Hi） – Day

So 敬老の日（Keirō no Hi） essentially means :

“A day to respect and honor elderly people.”

The holiday recognizes older generations for their contributions to their families, communities, and Japanese society.

3. When Did the Holiday Begin?

The roots of Respect for the Aged Day are often traced to a local celebration in Hyogo Prefecture after World War II.

The idea gradually spread across Japan, and a national holiday called 老人の日（Rōjin no Hi / Old People's Day） was established in the 1960s.

It was later renamed 敬老の日（Keirō no Hi）.

Originally, the holiday was celebrated every September 15.

Beginning in 2003, it was moved to the third Monday of September under Japan's Happy Monday system.

4. Why Is Respect for Elderly People Important in Japan?

Respect for older people has long been an important part of Japanese society.

Japan also has one of the world's oldest populations, so elderly care and healthy aging are major social issues.

You'll notice this in everyday life through things such as :

• Priority seating on trains and buses

• Barrier-free facilities

• Community programs for senior citizens

• Elderly-care services

• Home-care services

• Nursing-care facilities

• Health and welfare programs

For many Filipino caregivers in Japan, these aren't abstract ideas—they're part of everyday work.

5. How Do Japanese Families Celebrate?

There isn't one required way to celebrate Respect for the Aged Day.

Families may :

• Visit grandparents

• Have a family meal

• Give gifts

• Make a phone or video call

• Send cards or letters

• Spend time together

• Take grandparents on a short outing

Children may also make handmade cards or drawings for their grandparents.

The focus isn't necessarily on expensive presents.

Showing appreciation is what matters.

6. What Gifts Are Common?

Some people give small gifts to their grandparents or elderly parents.

Examples include :

• Japanese sweets

• Tea

• Flowers

• Fruit

• Clothing

• Special food

• Cards or letters

• Family photos

When choosing food, consider the person's dietary restrictions and whether the food is easy for them to eat.

7. Community Celebrations

Local communities and organizations may also organize activities around Respect for the Aged Day.

Depending on the area, there may be :

• Community gatherings

• Performances

• Celebratory meals

• Children's presentations

• Gifts for older residents

• Activities at elderly-care facilities

Municipalities and organizations may have their own programs, so activities vary by location.

8. Important Holiday for Filipino Caregivers

For Filipinos working as :

介護職員（Kaigo Shokuin） – Care workers

Respect for the Aged Day may be particularly meaningful.

Care workers support elderly people with everyday activities such as :

• Eating

• Bathing

• Mobility

• Dressing

• Recreation

• Communication

• Daily health and safety

Some nursing homes and care facilities organize special meals, decorations, or activities for residents around Keirō no Hi.

If you work in kaigo, you may actually be busier, not less busy, during the holiday.

9. Do OFWs Automatically Have No Work?

No.

Respect for the Aged Day is a national holiday, but that doesn't automatically mean every employee has the day off.

Your schedule depends on your :

• Employment contract

• Company calendar

• Shift

• Workplace

• Industry

If you work in :

• Elderly care

• Hospitals

• Hotels

• Restaurants

• Convenience stores

• Retail

• Transportation

• Tourism

you may still have work.

Always check your company schedule instead of assuming :

“Red day sa calendar, so walang pasok.”

10. Does Working on This Day Automatically Mean Holiday Pay?

Not necessarily.

A Japanese national holiday isn't automatically the same as a worker's legally designated statutory holiday.

Whether additional pay applies depends on factors such as your work schedule, employment conditions, company rules, and whether the day qualifies as your statutory holiday.

If you're unsure, check your :

• Employment contract

• Work calendar

• Company rules

• Payslip

• HR/payroll department

11. Priority Seats and Respect for Elderly Passengers

Respect for older people isn't limited to one holiday.

On Japanese trains and buses, you'll often see :

優先席（Yūsenseki）

Priority seats

These seats are intended for passengers who may need them more, including :

• Elderly passengers

• Pregnant passengers

• People with injuries

• People with disabilities

• Passengers traveling with small children, depending on the situation

If an elderly passenger appears to need your seat more than you do, offering it is a considerate gesture.

12. How Do You Offer Your Seat in Japanese?

A simple phrase is :

どうぞ。

Dōzo.

“Please / Here you go.”

Or :

こちら、どうぞ。

Kochira, dōzo.

“Please, take this seat.”

No need for a five-minute Japanese speech.

Smile, gesture toward the seat, and say :

Dōzo.

Simple and respectful.

13. Don't Assume Every Older Person Needs Help

There's another side to being respectful.

Don't automatically treat every elderly person as helpless.

Many older Japanese people are extremely independent.

If someone appears to need assistance, you can politely ask :

大丈夫ですか？

Daijōbu desu ka?

“Are you okay?”

or

お手伝いしましょうか？

Otetsudai shimashō ka?

“May I help you?”

Then respect their answer.

True respect also means allowing people to maintain their independence and dignity.

14. Remember Your Own Lolo and Lola

For Filipino OFWs, Keirō no Hi can also be a nice reminder of our own culture.

Filipinos already have strong traditions of respecting older family members :

• Pagmamano

• Saying po and opo

• Caring for parents and grandparents

• Family gatherings

• Supporting elderly relatives

Even if your grandparents or parents are in the Philippines, you can use the occasion to :

• Call them

• Video chat

• Send a message

• Share family photos

• Send financial support when needed

Sometimes a simple :

“Kumusta po kayo?”

means more than an expensive gift.

15. Respect Goes Beyond Age

Respecting elderly people doesn't only mean giving up your train seat.

It can also mean :

• Listening patiently

• Speaking politely

• Helping when appropriate

• Not rushing someone who moves slowly

• Keeping pathways accessible

• Respecting their independence

• Showing appreciation for their experience

Small everyday actions matter.

16. Government and Banking Schedules

Because Respect for the Aged Day is a national holiday, many government offices and bank branches are generally closed.

If you need to handle :

• City Hall procedures

• Government documents

• Bank-counter transactions

• Other administrative matters

plan ahead.

ATMs and online banking may still operate, but some transactions can follow holiday processing schedules.

17. Plan Important Remittances Ahead

Kung kailangan mong magpadala sa Pilipinas around a Japanese holiday, check the processing schedule beforehand.

Consider :

• Japanese bank holidays

• Philippine banking schedules

• Remittance processing times

• Payout availability

• When your beneficiary actually needs the money

Especially if the funds are for your parents or grandparents' medicine, food, bills, or other important expenses, avoid waiting until the last minute.

Useful Japanese Words

敬老の日（Keirō no Hi） – Respect for the Aged Day

高齢者（Kōreisha） – Elderly person / older adult

お年寄り（Otoshiyori） – Elderly person

長寿（Chōju） – Longevity

祖父（Sofu） – Grandfather

祖母（Sobo） – Grandmother

おじいちゃん（Ojīchan） – Grandpa

おばあちゃん（Obāchan） – Grandma

介護（Kaigo） – Nursing care / elderly care

介護施設（Kaigo Shisetsu） – Care facility

優先席（Yūsenseki） – Priority seat

祝日（Shukujitsu） – National holiday

Respect for the Aged Day Checklist for OFWs

• Remember that it falls on the third Monday of September.

• Check your work schedule.

• Don't assume a national holiday automatically means no work.

• Check government and banking schedules.

• Plan important transactions and remittances ahead.

• Be considerate toward elderly passengers on public transportation.

• Offer assistance politely when someone appears to need it.

• Respect an elderly person's independence.

• If you work in kaigo, check your facility's special holiday activities.

• Call your parents, grandparents, or elderly relatives back home.

Tips for Filipinos in Japan

For Filipinos, the idea behind Keirō no Hi isn't difficult to understand.

We already grow up with concepts like :

“Respect your elders.”

Japan expresses that same value in its own way.

For OFWs—particularly Filipino caregivers—this holiday can be a meaningful reminder that caring for elderly people isn't only about assisting them physically.

It's also about protecting their dignity, independence, comfort, and quality of life.

And don't forget your own elderly loved ones back home.

Living thousands of kilometers away doesn't mean you can't make them feel remembered.

Respect for the Aged Day（敬老の日 / Keirō no Hi） is celebrated on the third Monday of September to honor elderly people for their contributions to society and celebrate their longevity.

For OFWs in Japan, particularly those working in caregiving and healthcare, the holiday provides a chance to better understand Japan's attitude toward aging and elderly care.

But respect shouldn't happen only once a year.

Whether it's giving up a train seat, patiently assisting an elderly customer, caring for someone at work, or simply calling your Lolo and Lola back home, small acts of kindness and consideration can mean a lot.

Sa PhilMoney, nais naming suportahan ang mga OFW sa Japan hindi lamang sa remittance, kundi pati na rin sa pagbibigay ng practical information tungkol sa Japanese holidays, culture, work, at everyday life para mas maging informed, prepared, at confident habang naninirahan sa Japan.

Note : This article is intended for general information only. Regulations and procedures in Japan and the Philippines may change. Please verify the latest information with the appropriate government agency or official institution before taking action.