Constitution Memorial Day
A day to commemorate the promulgation of the Constitution of Japan
image
Kenpo Kinenbi (Constitution Memorial Day) is a national holiday celebrated on May 3rd. Its purpose is "to commemorate the enforcement of the Constitution of Japan and to expect the growth of the nation."
The Constitution of Japan
The current Constitution of Japan was promulgated on November 3, 1946, and went into effect six months later on May 3, 1947. It replaced the pre-war Meiji Constitution and is built on three main pillars:
- Popular Sovereignty: Sovereign power resides with the people, not the Emperor, who is defined as the "symbol of the State."
- Respect for Fundamental Human Rights: Ensuring inherent, inviolable, and universal human rights.
- Pacifism: Article 9 explicitly renounces war and the maintenance of military forces with war potential.
On this day, the National Diet Building is typically opened to the public, and various symposiums discussing the Constitution are held across the country.