Failing to get updates from your Japanese colleagues this week? Of course! It's Golden Week!

Golden Week as we know it today began in 1948 when the Japanese government officially designated the holidays that make up the week (I think) in an effort to provide a legitimate 'excuse' for people to take a few successive days off after the busy start of the fiscal year. It became one of those few times a year when most Japanese workers feel they can take some time off without too much guilt.

Golden Week is a collection of four national holidays that happen in close succession, usually at the end of April and the beginning of May.

The holidays include:

🎉 Showa Day (April 29) - Celebrating the birthday of Emperor Showa.

🎉 Constitution Memorial Day (May 3) - Marking the promulgation of the post-war constitution.

🎉 Greenery Day (May 4) - A day to appreciate nature.

🎉 Children's Day (May 5) - Celebrating the health and happiness of children.

Since these holidays fall right next to each other, many people take additional leave to create a nice, long break—sometimes up to a week. You can expect your colleagues to be back at work on May 7th.

I'm very partial to Greenery Day since it's on my own birthday - the great thing is that because of Golden Week I always got holidays to celebrate my birthday in style 😂 . I took the attached photo in Yokohama in 2017, after a lovely birthday lunch with my husband.

If you’re doing business in or with Japan, knowing about their national holiday schedule is essential. It helps you sync your strategies and plans with Japanese partners. Whether you're a local or an international player, understanding this period can help you navigate the market better!

Want to know more? At Japan Consulting Office, we specialize in equipping professionals to thrive in cross-cultural environments. Whether you’re looking for group training or one-on-one sessions, we’ve got you covered!

If you want to learn more about bridging language and cultural gaps in Japanese business, why not join one of our sessions! Here’s the link to upcoming sessions (make sure to select your timezone): https://lnkd.in/gM6mzAnC