Marine Day
| Marine Day | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Official name | Hải の ngày(Umi no Hi) |
| Observed by | Japan |
| Type | Public |
| Significance | Honors the blessings of the oceans and economic prosperity of maritime Japan |
| Celebrations | Families may visit beaches, swim, snorkel, surf, or dive. National aquariums host special water-related events. |
| Date | Third Monday in July |
| 2023 date | July 17 |
| 2024 date | July 15 |
| 2025 date | July 21 |
| 2026 date | July 20 |
| Frequency | annual |
Marine Day(Hải の ngày,Umi no Hi),also known as "Ocean Day" or "Sea Day", is apublic holiday in Japanusually celebrated on the third Monday in July. The purpose of the holiday is to give thanks for theocean's bounty and to consider the importance of the ocean to Japan as amaritime nation.[1]
Many people take advantage of the holiday and summer weather to take a beach trip. Other ocean-related festivities are observed as well.[2]The date roughly coincides with the end of therainy season( mưa dầmtsuyu) in much of the Japanese mainland.[citation needed]
In 2020, the holiday was observed on Thursday, July 23, a one-time move that was made as a special accommodation to support the opening of theTokyo Olympics.Due to the postponement of the Olympics, the 2021 date was moved to July 22, also on Thursday as a one-time holiday.[3][4]
History
[edit]
The day was known as Marine Memorial Day(Hải の kỷ niệm ngày,umi no kinen bi)until 1996.Communications MinisterShōzō Muratadesignated the day in 1941 to commemorate theMeiji Emperorand his 1876 voyage in theMeiji Maru,aniron steamshipconstructed in Scotland in 1874.[5]The voyage included a trip around theTōhoku region,embarking on a lighthouse boat inAomori,and a brief stop inHakodatebefore returning toYokohamaon July 20 of that year.[6]However, it was not designated a national holiday until 1995, when it became the first holiday in the summer months.[7]
First observed on July 20, 1996, theHappy Monday Systemlegislation moved the date to the third Monday of July beginning in 2003.[2]
As special arrangement for the2020 Summer Olympics,the 2020 date for Marine Day was moved to July 23. With the Olympics and Paralympicspostponed until 2021due to theCOVID-19 pandemic,the government left this change in place for 2020 and passed an amendment to the Olympic and Paralympic Special Measures Act to make a corresponding change to the holiday in 2021.[3][8]
Celebration
[edit]On this day, families may visit beaches such asIsshiki BeachinHayamaand swim, snorkel, surf, or dive. People may also participate in an event called 'mud-ball throwing'. National aquariums also host special water-related events on this day.[9]
References
[edit]- ^Quốc dân の chúc ngày について(in Japanese).Cabinet Office,Government of Japan.RetrievedJuly 17,2012.
- ^ab"Marine Day (Third Monday in July)".Cross Currents.University of Hawaii.RetrievedJuly 17,2012.
- ^ab"Japan's National Holidays in 2021".nippon.June 10, 2020.RetrievedJuly 14,2020.
- ^"Đông Kinh năm luân, mở họp thức trước sau が４ liền hưu に bế mạc thức trước sau は３ liền hưu: Mặt trời mới mọc tin tức デジタル".Mặt trời mới mọc tin tức デジタル(in Japanese).RetrievedJuly 14,2019.
- ^"The Meiji-maru".Tokyo University of Marine Science and Technology.RetrievedJuly 17,2012.
- ^Iida, Masao (June 2002).Kiều から thấy た ngung điền xuyên の lịch sử (History of the Sumida River as seen from a bridge)(in Japanese). Văn vân xã. p. 52.ISBN9784835538945.RetrievedJuly 17,2012.
- ^"Marine Day (Third Monday of July)".JET Programme.Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology.Archived fromthe originalon May 30, 2012.RetrievedJuly 17,2012.
- ^"Năm luân chúc ngày, năm sau も di động đặc thố pháp sửa lại へ― chính phủ ・ cùng đảng"(in Japanese). Thời sự thông tín xã. April 1, 2020.RetrievedMay 21,2020.
- ^Centre, Japan (July 13, 2018)."Celebrating Umi No Hi (Marine Day) in Japan".Japan Centre.RetrievedJuly 11,2020.
