Constitution Day Japan: Change And Vending Machines

It's difficult to argue with the first half of this quotation. And the fact that change is inevitable in Japan has been brought home even more strongly in the aftermath of the March 2011 earthquake in Tohoku.

But change from a vending machine? Japan is probably the one place in the world where you're just about guaranteed to get your small change when you make a purchase from one of these unmanned stations on the street. It's an unwritten rule in the Japanese Constitution ; )

Changing the Constitution: The background to Constitution Day Japan

So what is the Constitution in Japan? And where does Constitution Day Japan fit in?

Taken from the Preface to the Constitution of Japan, this excerpt indicates the main change made by the addition of Article Nine to the Constitution. And it's the main reason for the holiday known as Constitution Day Japan. Click here if you'd like to read the document in full.

The Surrender Agreement and changes in power

Until the signing of the Surrender Agreement at the end of WWII, it was the Emperor of Japan (at the time this was Emperor Hirohito) who was considered to have supreme control over the country and the government. And it was the home of the Imperial family, the Imperial Palace where, until the signing, all major domestic and international decisions were made. This included the original decision to take the country to war.

Constitution Day Japan honours the events and changes that began on September 2, 1945, when the signing of the Surrender Agreement took place. Essentially, the Surrender Agreement moved power away from the Emperor, and brought Japan under the control of the Allied Powers. This remained the situation until 1952, when the final Peace Treaty was signed.

Article Nine: The principle change

Constitution Day Japan celebrates, in particular, Article Nine.

The purpose of Article Nine? It renounced war and handed the power of sovereignty and decision making back to the Japanese people. This was a major turnaround in the way the country was run, and defined the start of a new era for Japan.

Until this event, Japan was viewed by many as a warmongering and aggressive nation. And historical seems to prove this out. But with the introduction of Article Nine, Japan's central focus became a peaceful one. Having witnessed the mass destruction and death that came as a result of the nuclear bombs in both Hiroshima and Nagasaki, Japan learned first hand the terrible dangers of war.

Military changes in Japan

Another significant change that came about as a result of Article Nine was the move from having an Army to having a Self Defence Force. What's the difference between the two? Where the Army was offensive and would lead attacks against other countries, the Self Defence Force is, as the name suggests, a unit that will only be used if Japan needs to defend itself from external attacks perpetrated by others.

In recent times there have been calls for a charge in this ruling, particularly with the threat from North Korea so close to home. But, for now, it remains to be seen whether any of these calls for change will turn into reality.

So when is Constitution Day Japan celebrated?

Constitution Day Japan is an annual celebration on May 3rd in memory of the ratification of the new Constitution that came into effect at the end of WWII in 1947. If you're going to be in Japan at this time, you're actually here during a sequence of National Holidays that share the collective name of Golden Week. It's a good time to visit as you'll get the opportunity to experience lots of different cultural perspectives of Japan.

There are no traditional events that take place on Constitution Day Japan itself as it's a relatively new national holiday. However, lectures are held across the country about the importance and role of the Constitution for present day Japan. The rest of Golden Week is a different story all together with the traditional aspects of Japanese culture on full display.

With Thanks to Author David Valley

We have to thank David Valley for helping us develop this Constitution Day Japan page. David is the author of Bright Life --Framing Japan's Constitution which delves into this section of history in much more detail than we're able to cover here. If you're interested in knowing more about this period in Japan's history, we highly recommend getting your hands on it. Here's what it says on the back cover of the book:

Checking out what's on in Tokyo

Now you know a little more about Constitution Day Japan you may be interested in knowing about other events that will take place around this time in Tokyo. The best way to find out is to sign up for our A Taste of Tokyo newsletter. We'll send regular updates about local festivals as well as any other timely information to help you plan an unforgettable trip.

And don't forget... if you find yourself needing to buy something from a vending machine in Japan, you're 99.9% certain you'll get the change you're owed. It's all part of the Japan experience ; )

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