Children's Book Day

What Is Children's Book Day?

Every April 23rd is "Children's Book Day" (子ども読書の日, Kodomo Dokusho no Hi) in Japan. The day was established by the "Act to Promote Children's Reading Activities" (子どもの読書活動の推進に関する法律), which was promulgated and took effect in December 2001 — designating April 23 as a day to celebrate children's reading and to promote the importance of books and reading in children's development. April 23rd coincides with UNESCO's World Book and Copyright Day, giving it an international literary resonance alongside its Japanese significance.

Children's Reading in Japan

Japan has a rich culture of children's literature — picture books (絵本, ehon), children's novels, and manga have all produced works of lasting cultural significance. Japanese picture books are internationally recognized for their artistic quality: works by Mitsumasa Anno (安野光雅), Taro Gomi (五味太郎), and many others have been translated into dozens of languages and won international awards. The tradition of "reading aloud" (読み聞かせ, yomi-kikase) — parents and teachers reading picture books to children — is deeply embedded in Japanese early childhood education.

The Reading Crisis

Japan's Children's Book Day was established in the context of declining reading rates among Japanese children — concerns grew about children who read no books at all in a given month, a trend that alarmed educators and parents who associated reading with vocabulary development, imagination, and academic success. The Act and the Day's designation were responses to this concern, promoting public library programs, school reading time, and family reading activities.

Libraries and Children

Japan's public libraries play a central role in Children's Book Day activities — offering special story hours, book recommendation events, and reading challenges for children. Many public libraries maintain children's sections and hold programs such as story times and read-aloud sessions around this day.

Fun Facts

• What the law says: The Act describes children's reading as indispensable for learning language, refining sensitivity, improving expression, and enriching creativity; "children" here generally means those aged 18 and under.
• Children's Reading Week: April 23rd begins "Children's Reading Week" (こどもの読書週間, April 23 – May 12) — a 20-day promotion coordinated by publishers, libraries, and educational institutions across Japan to encourage children's engagement with books.