Respect for the Aged Day (敬老の日, Keirō no Hi) is a Japanese designated public holiday celebrated annually to honor elderly citizens.[1] It started in 1966 as a national holiday and was held on every September 15. Since 2003, Respect for the Aged Day is held on the third Monday of September due to the Happy Monday System.

Respect for the Aged Day Official name Keirō no hi (敬老の日) Observed by Japan Type National Significance Honor elderly citizens Date Third Monday in September 2018 date September 17 ( 2018-09-17 ) 2019 date September 16 ( 2019-09-16 ) 2020 date September 21 ( 2020-09-21 ) 2021 date September 20 ( 2021-09-20 ) Frequency annual

This national holiday traces its origins to 1947, when Nomadani-mura (later Yachiyo-cho, currently Taka-cho), Hyōgo Prefecture, proclaimed September 15 Old Folks' Day (Toshiyori no Hi). Its popularity spread nationwide, and in 1966 it took its present name and status. Annually, Japanese media take the opportunity to feature the elderly, reporting on the population and highlighting the oldest people in the country.