About: Shōwa Day

Shōwa Day is a public holiday in Japan held on April 29. It honors the birthday of Emperor Shōwa, the reigning emperor from 1926 to 1989. Shō means "shining" or "bright", and wa means "peace", signifying the "enlightened peace" that citizens receive. According to the now defunct Democratic Party of Japan, the purpose of the holiday is to encourage public reflection on the turbulent 63 years of Hirohito's reign, ranging from totalitarianism to the post-war reconstruction and transition into a democratic state. Coincidentally, Shōwa Day happens on the same date that in 1948 the Allies' International Military Tribunal for the Far East condemned key officials of the Imperial government during World War II to death, including former Prime Minister Hideki Tojo.