Since 1966, every second Monday of October Japan celebrates Sports Day (スポツーの日) in conmemoration of the 1964 Summer Olimpics held in October that year in Tokyo. Many schools have sports festivals with many fun activities, and other public events are held througout the country, promoting a healthy and active lifestyle.
Formerly known as Health and Sports Day, this holiday was held on October 10th until 2000, when it was changed to the second Monday of October through the Happy Monday System ハッピーマンデー制度, a set of modifications in the law made in 1998 and 2001, to create various 3-day weekends in Japan, emulating the 1968 Uniform Monday Holiday Act of the United States.
Some public events start with parades where the people are divided into groups that could be a neighborhood, a company, a school, etc., and walk down the streets accompanied by a marching band. There are some speeches welcoming the teams and the general public. Before the games start, there is a moment where everybody stretches for a few minutes, which is a typical daily practice in Japan, both in schools and companies, every morning.
The games are different, simple physical activities that everyone can enjoy. That is why all the community can be part of it, from small children to aged adults. There are a lot of fun team games like the relay race and the giant ball roll, among others, where the participants have to collaborate as a group.
Active Life is organizing sports events in two private schools this month to promote physical activities among young students and their parents. And another open sports event in Joso City on October 29th, which everybody can join. Stay updated on our news to get the details on how to participate.
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