Celebrating Age and Family

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Respect for the Aged Day

Respect for the Aged Day (敬老の日) is public holiday in Japan where people recognise, thank and show respect to elderly citizens. It is a time to celebrate the long lives of people in the community.

The holiday started in 1966 and was originally celebrated on September 15 each year. Now it is held on the third Monday of September, similar to how Father's Day is the first Sunday of September.

Television and newspapers often feature the elderly from the community, including mentions to the oldest people in the country (there are many people who are older than 100 years!)

Volunteers will often distribute free “obento” lunches to elderly people in the, and villages will often hold keirokai shows where youth and children prepare songs and dances for a special ceremony.

Japanese people have had some of the longest lives of people around the world. Respect for the Aged Day is a way to honour this and celebrate and show respect for the elderly.

► Try out the new Questions and Answers on Palaygo to ask your Japanese friends about Respect for the Aged Day!

Father's Day

Fathers' Day in Australia has just passed by! What did do for your Dad?

In Australia the father would often be the breadwinner, working to earn enough money to sustain his family. When something broken needs fixing, or when insects run rampant in the house, he will get the job done. And when someone needs to go somewhere, he drives everyone around.

Dads are also known as a great source of wisdom, experience, and often are fun-loving and exemplary to their kids. Whether their children be eight or eighteen, many fathers love to play with their family members, whether it be in a competition, sports, or games. It is often seen as the father’s role to lead the family in important decisions, caring and protecting their family from the various dangers in the world.

Sometimes we might look at someone else’s dad and wonder why ours is not like him. Maybe we wish our father was better in some way. But ultimately, we know that the dad we have is the best we could have. We resemble our fathers, earthly or not, in some if not many ways, and their presence in our lives—whatever type of father ours might be—is cause for celebration and thankfulness.

What does your dad like? Does he like to read, make music, eat good food, or do other things? How did you show your appreciation to him this year?

► Try out the new Questions and Answers on Palaygo to let your Japanese friends know how you celebrated Father's Day!