FACTS
Location: Eastern Asia, island chain between the North Pacific Ocean and the Sea of Japan, east of the Korean Peninsula
Area (only Total) total: 377,835 sq km
Climate: varies from tropical in south to cool temperate in north
Terrain: mostly rugged and mountainous
Population: 127,288,419
Main Language (only first): Japanese
Government type: constitutional monarchy with a parliamentary government
Capital (Name): Tokyo
Capital (Time Difference): UTC+9
Independence: 660 B.C. (traditional founding by Emperor JIMMU)
National holiday: Birthday of Emperor AKIHITO, 23 December
HOLIDAYS
January 1 New Year's Day (Gantan)
January 14 Coming of Age Day (Seijin-no-hi)
February 11 National Foundation Day
March 20 Spring Equinox
April 29 Shōwa Day
May 3 Constitution Memorial Day (Kenpou-kinen-bi)
May 4 Greenery Day (Midori-no-hi)
May 5 Children's Day (Kodomo-no-hi)
July 21 Sea Day
September 15 Respect for the Aged Day
September 22 Autumnal Equinox (Shuubun-no-hi)
October 13 Health and Sports Day (Taiiku-no-hi)
November 3 National Culture Day (Bunka-no-hi)
November 23 Labor Thanksgiving Day (Kinrou-kansha-no-hi)
December 23 Emperor's Birthday (Tennou-tanjyou-bi)
December 31 Bank Holiday
1If it falls between Monday and Friday.
You should know:
Holidays falling on a Sunday are observed on the Monday following except for the Bank Holidays associated with the New Year.
The period from 29 April to 5 May is called the "Golden Week" and many people take vacation days mixed in with the public holidays with the result that businesses are often all but shut down.
There are no moveable feasts other than the Equinoxes. The Autumnal Equinox will be on 23 September every year until 2011. The calculation is performed using astronomical methods based on the longitude 135 degrees East.
Weekend - Saturday, Sunday
