Recommended for seniors! Liven up your event with a Respect-for-the-Aged Day quiz!

seventy-seven

Kiju is a celebration held at age 77. The kanji for “ki” (喜), when written in cursive script, resembles the characters for “seventy-seven,” which is why it came to be used for the 77th birthday longevity celebration. It is one of the long-cherished longevity milestones and is celebrated by families and communities.

the third Sunday in October

Grandparents’ Day was established by the Japan Department Stores Association in 1999. Aimed at creating opportunities for grandchildren and grandparents—who may not often see each other—to spend time together, it is observed on the third Sunday of October each year. Since it falls exactly one month after Respect for the Aged Day in September, it is sometimes celebrated with gifts or family meals.

congratulatory longevity celebration

Celebrations held at milestone ages to honor longevity are collectively called kaju. They are also known as sanga, toshi-iwai, or ga no iwai. The custom of kaju was brought to Japan from China during the Nara period and spread among the aristocracy. It gradually became popular among commoners during the Edo period. Incidentally, it’s said that all celebrations from Kiju (the 77th birthday) onward were developed in Japan.

the period during which one can live independently in good health

“Healthy life expectancy” refers to the period during which a person can live independently and actively without limitations in daily life due to illness or injury. In an aging society, it is not only about living longer, but also about extending the years one can live healthily and actively—this is an important challenge for the future.

80

“Sanju” is a celebration of longevity at the age of 80. The kanji for “umbrella” (傘) looks like the characters for “eighty” (八十) when written in cursive script, which is why it came to be used for the 80th-birthday celebration. The umbrella’s shape, which spreads outward, also carries the wish for continued health and prosperity.

Akita Prefecture

Akita Prefecture has the highest proportion of elderly people in Japan. Akita is experiencing pronounced population aging and a low birthrate, and the share of residents aged 65 and over is among the highest in the country. Out-migration of younger generations to urban areas and declining birth rates are key factors, making mutual support within local communities increasingly important.

Hyogo Prefecture

Nomadani Village in Taka District, Hyogo Prefecture—present-day Yashiro Ward of Taka Town—is considered the birthplace of Respect for the Aged Day. Beginning in 1947, on September 15, the then village mayor, Masao Kadowaki, held a celebration for elders, which is said to have been the origin. The year 1947 was a time of postwar turmoil. The event was organized with the intent to value seniors, draw upon their wisdom, and build the village together.