Question from a reader:
With the revision of the holiday law due to the Happy Monday system, two holidays were moved to specific Mondays in 2000 and one in 2003, but why wasn’t there a proposal to move all three at once from the beginning? Personally, I think that moving three holidays at once could lead to the need to change
event schedules, and the service industry, especially entertainment facilities, might suddenly become busier with the increased holidays, making work there quite challenging. Additionally, while it’s nice to have more consecutive holidays with the simultaneous move of three holidays, some people might feel a bit lonely about the original specific dates being gone. What do you all think?

Reflecting on the Happy Monday System and the Revision of the Holiday Law

Hello, readers. Today, I would like to delve a little deeper into the revision of the holiday law due to the Happy Monday system. This system has moved certain holidays from fixed dates to specific Mondays, but why wasn’t there a proposal to move all three at once from the beginning? This is an interesting topic that is deeply related to our daily lives and business.

What is the Happy Monday System?

First, let’s review what the Happy Monday system is. It is an initiative to increase consecutive holidays by moving holidays to specific Mondays. In 2000, “Marine Day” and “Respect for the Aged Day” were moved, and in 2003, “Sports Day” was moved. The purpose of this system is to enrich the lives of citizens by creating consecutive holidays that include weekends. Personally, I am very grateful for this system because having weekends and consecutive holidays allows me to enjoy time with my family and plan trips. However, as you mentioned, moving multiple holidays at once can indeed have various impacts.

Why Wasn’t There a Proposal to Move All Three at Once?

Now, back to the main topic. Why wasn’t there a proposal to move all three holidays at once from the beginning? One possible reason is that introducing the changes gradually makes it easier for society as a whole to adapt to the new system. For example, when we accept new technologies or services, a sudden large change can cause confusion. By changing things gradually, we become accustomed to the changes. The same goes for holidays; making significant changes all at once could increase the likelihood of confusion, especially in the service and event industries.

Impact on Events and Business

Since I work in the entertainment industry, considering this issue from a business perspective, an increase in consecutive holidays could necessitate adjustments to event schedules, particularly for service industries and entertainment facilities. For instance, if an event was set for a fixed date, aligning it with the new holiday is not an easy task. Moreover, becoming suddenly busy can also increase the burden on staff. A friend of mine who works at a theme park mentioned that during consecutive holidays, they have several times the usual number of visitors, so they must plan staffing carefully. They need to prepare in advance to avoid situations like, “Oh no, we are short-staffed today!”

Emotional Aspects and Cultural Impact

Furthermore, let’s consider the emotional aspects as another perspective. The absence of fixed dates might make some people feel a bit lonely, especially those who have special memories associated with certain days. For example, my parents mentioned that with “Marine Day” moving to the third Monday of July, their tradition of going to the beach on that day has changed, and they expressed disappointment, saying, “We can’t go on that day anymore…” From a cultural perspective, there may also be resistance to changes in the meaning and origins of holidays. I understand the concerns about losing the unique charm that fixed dates bring and the traditions of local events.

Looking to the Future

Now, looking to the future, there may need to be further discussions and revisions regarding the holiday law. If more holidays are moved, we need to consider what impacts will arise and what measures should be taken in response; there are many issues to think about. As a suggestion, I believe it is important to communicate with local event organizers and service providers before moving specific holidays, listening carefully to their opinions and concerns. By reflecting the voices of the industry, we can create better system designs.

Conclusion

The revision of the holiday law due to the Happy Monday system has a significant impact on our daily lives. The background behind why there wasn’t a proposal to move all three holidays at once likely involves policy considerations for the overall impact on society. Each of us is required to adapt to the new system while cherishing the meaning of holidays and the culture surrounding them. It would be wonderful if we could continue to enjoy holidays and consecutive days off while also reflecting on the thoughts and significance behind them. What do you think about the movement of holidays? Please share your opinions and experiences!