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Constitution Day Japan

Constitution Day in Japan is celebrated on May 3 in memory of the ratification of the new constitution that came into effect at the end of WWII in 1947. This is another day that is part of the Golden Week celebrations in Japan.

Constitution Day Japan - Article Nine

From September 2, 1945, when Japan signed the Surrender Agreement, until 1952 when the Peace Treaty was signed, Japan was under the control of the Allied Powers.

Until the signing of the Surrender Agreement in 1945, the Emperor of Japan, at the time Hirohito, was considered to have supreme control over the country and the government.

The Imperial Palace was also, until the signing, seen as the center of attention for both domestic and international decisions, including taking the country to war.

Constitution Day in Japan celebrates, in particular, Article 9 which renounced war and handed the power of sovereignty and decision making back to the Japanese people.

This was a major turnaround and defined the start of a new era for Japan. Although in the past, they have been accused of warmongery, this is now a peaceful nation with a great respect for the dangers of war.

Self Defense Force

atomic-dome-in-hiroshima-one-of-only-a-few-buildings-left-standing-after-the-a-bomb

Japan no longer has an army as a result of the new constitution, but it does have a Self Defense Force.

Attack is not allowed in any shape or form but Japan maintains its right to defend itself from other aggressors.

In recent times there have been calls for a change in this ruling, particularly with the perceived threat from North Korea.

It remains to be seen whether these calls will become reality.

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.

If you're interested in knowing more about this period we highly recommend this book. The back cover reads as follows:

"Democratic societies developed over many years in other countries. In Japan, the change from a totalitarian state took place in a period of months when its Meiji Constitution was revised. It was not by choice, but by order of conquering nations after Japan's defeat in World War II.

If not for masterful management by General Douglas MacArthur, Supreme Commander of Allied Powers, the outcome of the Potsdam Declaration, which decreed terms for Japan's surrender, could have been a fiasco.

Historians have examined the evolution of the Constitution in great detail, but they leave in doubt many issues and fail to describe the drama which took place. The author employs the construct of an historical novel to let readers experience the impact and excitement of this unprecedented event.

Having personal experience in General MacArthur's Command, David Valley tells the story from the perspective of a GHQ insider as he brings together fictional and real persons in this entertaining and educational tale."

Democracy and Human Rights

Constitution Day in Japan also celebrates another major breakthrough that occurred with the new rulings agreed in 1947, the recognition of basic and fundamental human rights. There are no traditional events that take place on this day as this is a relatively new national holiday, however, lectures are held across the country about the importance and role of the consitution for present day Japan.