Independence Day is probably not the best translation but that's the general one for February 11th here in Japan. Like last year, I almost forgot that it was a public holiday until a coupla' days before. When planning lunch with my cousins, Wednesday was proposed, and I went, "Sure, in the evening, right?"
"E~! You have to go to work on Wednesday?!"
And so it was, returning home on a Tuesday night feeling strangely relaxed, sort of like how it feels on a Friday night. Even better, waking up on a wintery Wednesday morning and realizing that there is no need to leave the warm nest of blankets!
So what are ordinary citizens doing to commemorate this day? Like last year, I half-expected parades and fireworks or at least some form of public address from the Imperial household... but nope, seems like just another day. My neighbors did put up a flag though. Some celebrations must be going on somewhere else. Anyway, I wished co-workers a Happy Independence Day before I left on Tuesday and we had a good laugh.
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