Autumnal Equinox Day

Autumnal Equinox Day
Official name Autumnal Equinox Day
Observed by Japan
Type National
Significance Commemorates the autumnal equinox
Date Autumnal equinox
2011 date 23 September
2012 date 23 September
2013 date 22 September

Autumnal Equinox Day (秋分の日 Shūbun no hi?) is a public holiday in Japan that usually occurs on September 22 or 23, the date of autumnal equinox in Japan Standard Time (autumnal equinox can occur on different dates for different timezones). Due to the necessity of recent astronomical measurements, the date of the holiday is not officially declared until February of the previous year. Autumnal Equinox Day became a public holiday on 1948. In 1947 and before, it was the date of Shūki kōreisai ( 秋季皇霊祭?), an event relating to Shintoism. Like other holidays, this holiday was repackaged as a non-religious holiday for the sake of separation of religion and state in Japan's postwar constitution.

Recent Japanese equinoxes

Past observed and future calculated equinoxes in Japan Standard Time.[1]

Year Vernal Day of week Autumnal Day of week
2009 March 20 Friday September 23 Wednesday
2010 March 21 Sunday September 23 Thursday
2011 March 21 Monday September 23 Friday
2012 March 20 Tuesday September 22 Saturday
2013 March 20 Wednesday September 23 Monday
2014 March 21 Friday September 23 Tuesday
2015 March 21 Saturday September 23 Wednesday

References

See also