Commemorative Stamp Day

What Is Commemorative Stamp Day?

Every March 9th is "Commemorative Stamp Day" (記念切手記念日, Kinen Kitte Kinenbi) in Japan. On March 9, 1894, Japan issued its first commemorative postage stamps — two stamps commemorating the 25th wedding anniversary (silver wedding) of Emperor Meiji and Empress Haruko (昭憲皇太后). The red 2-sen and blue 5-sen stamps, about twice the size of ordinary stamps of the time, showed the imperial chrysanthemum with a pair of cranes and the English words "IMPERIAL WEDDING 25 ANNIVERSARY." Japan had no concept of commemorative stamps then; a letter to a newspaper from foreign residents prompted Communications Minister Kiyotaka Kuroda to order the issue, and the printing plates are said to have been finished in just five days. The issue began a tradition of special stamps for national events that continues today.

Japan's Philatelic Heritage

Japan's postal stamp history began in 1871 with its first stamps, and commemorative stamps from 1894 onward helped make stamp collecting (切手収集, kitte shūshū, or 郵趣, yūshu) a popular hobby. Before the Second World War, commemorative stamps were issued only once every few years, mostly for imperial events; after the war they came to be issued every year, and today dozens of commemorative designs appear annually, covering traditional arts, nature, pop culture and international events.

Japan Post's Stamp Design Culture

Japan's commemorative stamp design is taken seriously as a form of applied graphic art — notable designers and artists have contributed to Japan's stamp catalogue, and particularly beautiful or historically significant stamps attract strong collector interest. Japan Post's collaboration with popular anime and manga properties (including Hello Kitty, Pokémon, and major anime series) has created "character stamps" that are collected both by philatelists and by fans of the featured properties.

Philately in Japanese Culture

Stamp collecting has a devoted following in Japan — the Japan Philatelic Society (日本郵趣協会) coordinates enthusiast activities, and major philatelic exhibitions attract significant public interest. Japanese stamps — both classic issues and modern commemoratives — are sought by collectors internationally, and Japanese philatelic auction records reflect the serious monetary value that rare stamps command.

Fun Facts

• The world's first commemorative stamp: The stamp generally regarded as the world's first commemorative is one issued by Peru in 1871 in connection with its railway.
• "Mikaeri Bijin": The 1948 Philatelic Week stamp featuring Hishikawa Moronobu's painting "Beauty Looking Back" is one of Japan's most famous and popular stamps.
• Furusato stamps: Japan Post's "Furusato" (ふるさと, hometown) stamp series — featuring regional scenes, local foods, and cultural heritage from different prefectures — has been one of Japan's most beloved stamp series since its introduction in 1989, generating strong collector interest in regionally specific designs.