Labor Thanksgiving Day is a national holiday dedicated to honoring workers, expressing gratitude for their efforts, and celebrating the fruits of labor. The day has roots in ancient harvest festivals and reflects Japan's values of diligence, cooperation, and appreciation. Today, schools and communities hold ceremonies and events to recognize contributions to society and promote mutual respect among all workers.

When is Labor Thanksgiving Day?

Labor Thanksgiving Day is celebrated in Japan on November 23 each year.

The following is the list of Labor Thanksgiving Day from 2020 to 2049.

The History of Labor Thanksgiving Day?

Labor Thanksgiving Day is a national holiday in Japan to honor workers, celebrate productivity and express gratitude for one another's efforts.

The holiday's origins go back more than a thousand years to an ancient Shinto ritual called Niiname-sai (新嘗祭), or the Harvest Festival, where the emperor offered freshly harvested rice to the gods in thanks for a bountiful crop. This ceremony, dating to at least the 7th century, symbolized gratitude to nature and the divine for the sustenance of the people.

During the Meiji era (1868–1912), Niiname-sai became a formal imperial event held on November 23 each year, reinforcing Japan's agricultural heritage and its connection to the emperor.

After World War II, Japan underwent major reforms under the new constitution, which emphasized democracy, peace, and equality. In 1948, the government redefined the holiday as Labor Thanksgiving Day, shifting its focus from imperial rituals to a secular celebration of workers' rights, productivity and social cooperation. The date remained November 23, preserving the link to the old harvest festival but with a new, modern meaning.

Today, Labor Thanksgiving Day blends tradition and progress, it honors both Japan's agricultural roots and the efforts of workers in all sectors. Schools and communities hold ceremonies to thank public servants and local workers, while the imperial family still performs a private Niiname-sai ritual at the Imperial Palace, maintaining the holiday's ancient connection to gratitude and renewal.