Cheering Day (Ouen no Hi)

What is Cheering Day?

March 11th is "Cheering Day" (Ouen no Hi) in Japan. It was established by three people — Shoichi Yamashita (Peraichi Inc.), Masahiro Yunoki (bondclub) and Yohei Takada (Manebana) — and registered with the Japan Anniversary Association in 2018. It is a day for people to support each other's dreams and challenges and to fill the day with kindness.

The Origin of Cheering Day

The date comes from the Great East Japan Earthquake of March 11, 2011, in which many people lost their lives. The founders wanted people never to forget that day, and to make it a day full of kindness by lovingly supporting anyone trying to take a small step forward.

Stories Behind Cheering Day

Around this day, the founders hold the "Ouen Fes" (Cheering Festival), linking a Tokyo venue with sites across Japan online. It has featured awards for supporting dreams, crowdfunding pitch contests, and talks by people taking on challenges in many fields. Beyond shouted encouragement or messages of support, quietly standing by someone is also considered a form of cheering.

Interesting Facts About Cheering

• The origin of the word "ouen" — The Japanese word for cheering, "ouen" (応援), combines characters meaning "to respond" and "to help," carrying the idea of responding to someone's actions or feelings by helping them.
• Cheering beyond cheers — Applause, messages, and even simply watching over someone quietly are all considered forms of support — you don't necessarily need to say anything out loud.
• The psychological effect — Feeling supported is said to boost a sense of security and motivation to take on challenges.
• The effect on the supporter — The act of cheering someone on is itself said to bring positive emotions and a sense of satisfaction to the person doing the cheering.

Tips for Enjoying Cheering Day

• Say a word of thanks or encouragement to someone close to you
• Look into and learn about a cause or activity you'd like to support
• Reflect on a time in the past when someone's support helped you through
• Be mindful of small, manageable ways to support someone

How to Spend Cheering Day

Cheering Day doesn't require any special event — simply putting the spirit of encouragement into everyday action is enough. Saying a word to a family member, friend, or colleague, or acknowledging someone's effort, naturally captures the spirit of this day.