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Kung nakatira o nagtatrabaho ka sa Japan, makikita mo sa calendar ang national holiday na tinatawag na :

天皇誕生日（てんのうたんじょうび / Tennō Tanjōbi）

The Emperor’s Birthday

Sa kasalukuyan, ipinagdiriwang ito tuwing February 23, ang birthday ni Emperor Naruhito, the current Emperor of Japan.

Para sa mga Filipinos living in Japan, magandang malaman kung ano ang significance ng holiday na ito, ano ang nangyayari sa araw na iyon, at paano ito maaaring makaapekto sa iyong work, banking, at daily schedule.

1. What Is the Emperor’s Birthday?

Ang Emperor’s Birthday ay isang national holiday na nagmamarka sa birthday ng reigning Emperor of Japan.

The current Emperor is :

Emperor Naruhito（徳仁天皇 / Naruhito Tennō）

He was born on :

February 23, 1960

Dahil dito, February 23 ang kasalukuyang Emperor’s Birthday national holiday.

2. Why Does the Date Change?

Unlike holidays such as New Year’s Day, ang date ng Emperor’s Birthday ay nakadepende sa birthday ng current reigning Emperor.

Ibig sabihin, kapag nagkaroon ng bagong Emperor, maaaring magbago rin ang date ng holiday.

For example, during the reign of Emperor Akihito, the Emperor’s Birthday was celebrated on December 23.

After Emperor Naruhito ascended the throne in 2019, the holiday moved to February 23.

3. Who Is Emperor Naruhito?

Emperor Naruhito is Japan’s 126th Emperor according to the traditional order of succession.

He became Emperor on May 1, 2019, following the abdication of his father, Emperor Akihito.

His reign is known as :

令和（Reiwa）

Kaya kapag nakikita mo ang Japanese year na Reiwa, ito ay tumutukoy sa current imperial era.

For example :

2026 = Reiwa 8（令和8年）

4. What Is the Role of the Emperor?

Under Japan’s Constitution, the Emperor is the :

“Symbol of the State and of the unity of the people.”

The Emperor does not govern the country or make political decisions.

Japan’s elected government, headed by the Prime Minister, handles political and governmental affairs.

The Emperor performs various ceremonial and official duties, such as :

• Receiving foreign ambassadors

• Attending national ceremonies

• Performing certain constitutional acts based on Cabinet advice and approval

• Participating in cultural and commemorative events

• Meeting foreign dignitaries

5. What Happens on the Emperor’s Birthday?

One of the most notable events is the public birthday greeting at the Imperial Palace in Tokyo.

When officially scheduled, members of the public may be allowed to enter designated areas of the Imperial Palace grounds to see the Emperor and members of the Imperial Family appear before the crowd.

The Emperor usually delivers a short greeting to the public.

Because arrangements can change due to security, weather, health, or other circumstances, always check the Imperial Household Agency’s latest announcement before going.

6. Can Foreigners Attend?

When the public birthday greeting is open, foreign residents and visitors can generally participate subject to the event’s rules and security procedures.

If you plan to attend :

✔️ Check the official schedule.

✔️ Arrive with plenty of time.

✔️ Follow security instructions.

✔️ Bring only necessary belongings.

✔️ Follow directions from staff and police.

✔️ Respect restricted areas.

Large crowds may be expected.

7. Is the Imperial Palace Normally Open?

Certain areas of the Imperial Palace and its grounds have their own public-access schedules.

The Emperor’s Birthday is special because the Imperial Family may make a public appearance as part of the official birthday celebrations.

However, huwag pumunta assuming na lahat ng areas ng palace ay open.

Always check the official visitor information first.

8. Do People Celebrate at Home?

The Emperor’s Birthday is generally different from celebrations such as Christmas or New Year.

Most people do not have a large birthday party for the Emperor at home.

For many residents, it is simply :

• A national holiday

• A day off from work or school

• An opportunity to travel

• A family day

• A chance to attend an official event

Some public buildings and other locations may also display the Japanese flag.

9. Are Government Offices Closed?

Since it is a national holiday, many :

• City halls

• Ward offices

• Government offices

• Schools

• Bank branches

• Public service counters

are generally closed.

Kung may kailangan kang gawin sa city hall, bank, or government office, planuhin ito before or after February 23.

10. Are Stores and Restaurants Open?

Many private businesses remain open, including :

• Convenience stores

• Restaurants

• Shopping malls

• Supermarkets

• Tourist attractions

However, opening hours may differ because of the holiday.

Always check before traveling to a specific location.

11. What About Trains and Buses?

Public transportation generally continues operating.

However, trains and buses may use a :

土休日ダイヤ（Dokyūjitsu Daiya）

Weekend and holiday timetable

Kung papasok ka sa trabaho, check your transportation schedule beforehand.

12. Do All Workers Get the Day Off?

Not necessarily.

Although the Emperor’s Birthday is a national holiday, whether you have the day off depends on :

• Employment contract

• Company calendar

• Shift schedule

• Industry

• Workplace rules

Workers in industries such as :

• Restaurants

• Hotels

• Hospitals

• Transportation

• Retail

• Convenience stores

• Factories

may still be scheduled to work.

Always check your work calendar.

13. Do You Automatically Get Extra Pay?

Not necessarily.

A Japanese national holiday is not automatically the same as your legally designated statutory rest day.

Whether additional pay applies depends on your work arrangement, statutory holiday, working hours, employment contract, and company rules.

Kung hindi ka sigurado, check your payslip or ask HR.

14. What If February 23 Falls on a Sunday?

Japan has a system called :

振替休日（Furikae Kyūjitsu）

Substitute Holiday

When certain national holidays fall on a Sunday, the following non-holiday day generally becomes a substitute holiday.

This can create a longer weekend depending on the calendar.

15. Why Is the Imperial Family Important in Japanese Culture?

Japan’s imperial institution has a very long history and is closely connected with the country’s traditions and ceremonial life.

Today, the Emperor’s constitutional role is symbolic rather than political.

For foreign residents, understanding the distinction is useful when learning about :

• Japanese history

• National ceremonies

• Public holidays

• Era names

• Government documents

16. Understanding the Reiwa Era

Japan commonly uses both the Western calendar and an imperial-era calendar.

The current era is :

令和（Reiwa）

It began when Emperor Naruhito ascended the throne in 2019.

You may encounter the era system on :

• Government forms

• Residence-related documents

• Bank forms

• Employment documents

• Medical paperwork

For example :

令和8年 = 2026

Knowing the current era can make filling out Japanese forms much easier.

17. Emperor vs. Prime Minister

Minsan nakakalito ito para sa mga bagong dating sa Japan.

Emperor

天皇（Tennō）

The symbolic head of the state under Japan’s Constitution and performs ceremonial constitutional duties.

Prime Minister

内閣総理大臣（Naikaku Sōri Daijin）

The head of Japan’s Cabinet and government.

Simply put :

• Emperor = symbolic and ceremonial role

• Prime Minister = political and governmental leadership

Useful Japanese Words

天皇誕生日（Tennō Tanjōbi） – Emperor’s Birthday

天皇（Tennō） – Emperor

皇室（Kōshitsu） – Imperial Family

皇居（Kōkyo） – Imperial Palace

令和（Reiwa） – Current imperial era

祝日（Shukujitsu） – National holiday

一般参賀（Ippan Sanga） – Public greeting by the Imperial Family

振替休日（Furikae Kyūjitsu） – Substitute holiday

日の丸（Hinomaru） – Japanese national flag

Emperor’s Birthday Checklist

If you're living in Japan :

✔️ Remember that the current Emperor’s Birthday is February 23.

✔️ Check whether your workplace is open.

✔️ Check holiday train and bus schedules.

✔️ Expect many government offices and bank branches to be closed.

✔️ Complete important official transactions beforehand.

✔️ Check the latest official information if you want to visit the Imperial Palace.

✔️ Follow security and crowd-control instructions at official events.

✔️ Don't automatically assume that working on the holiday means additional holiday pay.

Tips for Filipinos in Japan

✔️ Add Japan’s national holidays to your calendar.

✔️ If you have government paperwork, avoid planning it for February 23.

✔️ If you're interested in Japanese culture, the holiday is a good opportunity to learn about the Imperial Family and Japan’s constitutional system.

✔️ If you're planning to attend the Imperial Palace public greeting, check the official announcement beforehand rather than relying on previous years’ schedules.

✔️ Remember Reiwa, because you'll often encounter Japan’s era system on official documents.

The Emperor’s Birthday is more than simply a day off. It reflects an important part of Japan’s constitutional system, history, and cultural traditions.

For Filipinos living in Japan, understanding holidays like Tennō Tanjōbi can help you better understand the country you now call home—and help you plan around office closures, transportation schedules, and workplace calendars.

Sa PhilMoney, nais naming suportahan ang mga Pilipino sa Japan hindi lamang sa mabilis at ligtas na remittance, kundi pati na rin sa pagbibigay ng practical cultural guides para mas maintindihan, ma-appreciate, at ma-enjoy ang everyday life 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.