Greenery Day – May 4

Emperor Shōwa, born Hirohito, was the 124th emperor of Japan. He was born in 1901 and ascended the throne in 1926, ruling until his death in 1989. During his lifetime, Japanese people simply referred to him as "the Emperor," while foreigners often called him "Emperor Hirohito." After his death, he was officially given the posthumous name Emperor Shōwa.

Hirohito was Japan’s monarch during some of the most dramatic and difficult periods in the country’s history. His reign included the Second Sino-Japanese War, which eventually became part of World War II. Under his leadership, Japan became part of the Axis Powers, forming alliances with Germany and Italy.

However, Hirohito’s exact role in these wartime decisions is still debated. After the war, Japan portrayed him as a powerless figurehead who had no choice but to follow the actions of the military government. But over the years, some historians have suggested that he may have played a more active role than was originally believed. Still, Hirohito remained emperor throughout Japan’s postwar recovery and rebuilding.

Outside of politics, Hirohito had a deep personal passion—marine biology and nature. He was a respected scholar in the field and published several studies on marine life. After his death in 1989, his son and successor, Emperor Akihito, decided to honor this love for nature in a peaceful and respectful way.

Rather than create a holiday that focused on his father's complex wartime legacy, Akihito introduced Greenery Day on April 29, which had previously been celebrated as Hirohito's birthday. The new holiday was meant to celebrate Hirohito’s appreciation for nature and greenery, without directly referencing political controversies.