Today, 21st June is observed as Marine Day in Japan and its a national holiday in Japn. Marine Day as called “Umi no Hi” is celebrated to express gratitude for the ocean’s bounty and recognize its vital importance to thier lives, culture, and economy.
The marine day is not onserved on fixed date but its celebrated on THIRD MONDAY of JULY every year. Marine Day was first observed in 1996, making it a toddler in comparison to most of Japan’s national holidays. This was the year the day, once known as Marine Memorial Day, became a national holiday. Since 2003.
The roots of Marine Day stretch back to July 20, 1876, when the Meiji Emperor returned to the Port of Yokohama safely after a sea voyage across Tohoku and Hokkaido. Over 60 years later, the expedition was commemorated by naming the July 20 ‘Marine Memorial Day. However, it was only in 1995 that the Japanese government propose this to become a national holiday in the summer months dedicated to the sea, and its name was aptly changed to its current title.
The Happy Monday System legislation — a Japanese law that moved a number of public holidays in Japan on Mondays — moved Marine Day to the third Monday of July in 2003. This allows Japan to appreciate the oceans over a three-day weekend.
