Constitution Memorial Day2026 · Date · History
Japan’s current government holiday guidance identifies Constitution Memorial Day on 3 May, explains that it commemorates the Constitution taking effect on 3 May 1947, and states that the holiday has been part of the Act on National Holidays framework since that law was enacted in 1948.
About Constitution Memorial Day
Constitution Memorial Day is a Japanese national holiday observed on May 3.
Government guidance says it commemorates the enforcement of the Constitution of Japan and expresses hope for the country’s growth.
Why Constitution Memorial Day matters
The day focuses on the Constitution’s entry into force rather than its earlier promulgation date.
It forms part of Japan’s statutory national-holiday calendar and can be explained through legal and historical sources without political advocacy.
History of Constitution Memorial Day
The Constitution of Japan was promulgated on November 3, 1946.
It entered into force six months later on May 3, 1947.
Japan’s Act on National Holidays was enacted in 1948.
Government Public Relations Online states that Constitution Memorial Day has been included since the holiday law’s original enactment.
Current 2026 government guidance continues to list May 3 as Constitution Memorial Day.
What the evidence establishes
Confirmed institutional roles and milestones are shown first. Details that could not be established from the reviewed sources are listed separately below.
5 fields not established in reviewed sources
How to Observe Constitution Memorial Day
Read official material explaining the Constitution’s promulgation and entry-into-force dates.
Compare May 3 Constitution Memorial Day with November 3 Culture Day to avoid mixing their distinct legal histories.
Visit a library, museum or archive resource on postwar constitutional history.
Keep political opinions separate from factual statements about the holiday’s statutory purpose.
Check current government calendars for substitute-holiday arrangements when planning travel or public-service use.
Constitution Memorial Day Facts
Constitution Memorial Day is May 3.
It commemorates the Constitution of Japan taking effect on May 3, 1947.
The Constitution was promulgated on November 3, 1946.
The holiday was established under the 1948 Act on National Holidays framework.
It remains a current Japanese national holiday.
Topic and context
What this page does not assume
- Keep the source-defined country, community, organizer or institutional scope; do not silently broaden it.
- Do not treat the title alone as proof of government recognition or public-holiday status.
- Do not add a creator, founding story or origin claim unless the supporting evidence establishes it.
- Remembrance Civic Context Care.
Evidence & sources
Sources used across the guide are gathered here. Labels show how each source supports the page, and contextual references are kept separate from primary evidence.
Cabinet Office, Government of Japan — About each national holiday (opens in a new tab)
Official Government
Government Public Relations Online — 2026 national holidays (opens in a new tab)
National Government Current
Understand it, compare it, then explore further
Start with the most common factual questions, then compare closely related observances and explore useful connections.
Frequently asked questions
When is Constitution Memorial Day?
3 May annually The documented recurrence rule is: 3 May.
Does Constitution Memorial Day fall on the same date every year?
Yes. It uses a fixed annual date unless stronger evidence changes the pattern.
Is Constitution Memorial Day an official public holiday?
The reviewed sources verify it within this scope: Japan / national holiday. That recognition does not by itself make it a statutory public holiday; the site only makes public-holiday claims when reliable evidence explicitly does so.
Who established or recognizes Constitution Memorial Day?
The reviewed sources identify Japan under the Act on National Holidays as the proclaiming or establishing body.
Is Constitution Memorial Day international or country-specific?
This observance is specific to Japan. Its fuller verified scope is: Japan / national holiday.
How is this page verified?
The factual information is checked against reviewed sources, including the date pattern, scope and institutional history. This page was checked on 2026-09-23.
When is Constitution Memorial Day in Japan?
It is May 3.
What does it commemorate?
It commemorates the Constitution of Japan taking effect on May 3, 1947.
Was the Constitution promulgated on May 3?
No. It was promulgated on November 3, 1946 and entered into force on May 3, 1947.
When was the holiday established?
Japanese government guidance says Constitution Memorial Day was included when the Act on National Holidays was enacted in 1948.
Is the page taking a political position?
No. It summarizes the government-documented legal and historical basis of the holiday.
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