Scout Day (Sukauto no Hi)

What Is Scout Day?

September 15 is known as "Scout Day" (Sukauto no Hi) in Japan. The Scout Association of Japan set aside the day to contribute to local communities through service and to show the public that Scouting is a hands-on activity rooted in the community. In 1990 it was moved to September 15, which was then Respect for the Aged Day; now that Respect for the Aged Day falls on the third Monday of September, the association holds Scout Day on that Monday each year. Around this day, Boy Scouts, Girl Scouts and other groups across Japan carry out service activities such as clean-ups and fundraising.

How Scout Day Came About

Scout Day grew out of discussions among Scouts themselves in the 1970s.

• 1974: At the 6th Nippon Jamboree in Hokkaido, the week including Children's Day (May 5) was designated "Scout Week" for service, starting in 1975. At the first Senior Scout Forum, held in Chitose, Hokkaido, that same year, participants discussed "What should Scouts do to build a better society?" and are said to have proposed a nationwide "Scout Service Day."
• 1990: The observance was renamed "Scout Service Day" and moved to September 15, which was then Respect for the Aged Day.
• 1991: It was renamed "Scout Day," its current name.

The Origins of Scouting

Scouting is a youth education movement started by Robert Baden-Powell in Britain.

• The 1907 experimental camp: Baden-Powell held an experimental camp with boys on Brownsea Island in 1907, and in 1908 he wrote "Scouting for Boys" and founded the Boy Scouts.
• Spreading to Japan: After Baden-Powell visited Japan in 1912, "shōnendan" boys' groups formed around the country, and in 1922 the "Japan Federation of Boys' Groups" was founded with Shinpei Gotō as president. This was the beginning of today's Scout Association of Japan.

Scouting Trivia

• "Be Prepared": The motto of the Scout Association of Japan ("Sonaeyo tsune ni"), meaning to keep mind and body ready for whatever may happen.
• "A good turn daily": The slogan encourages Scouts to do at least one good deed for others every day.
• Service after the 1923 earthquake: Scouts carried out relief work after the Great Kantō Earthquake of 1923.
• Helping at the Tokyo Olympics: At the 1964 Tokyo Olympics and Paralympics, Scouts raised participating nations' flags at venues and cleaned the torch relay route.
• Related days: May 22 is "Girl Scout Day" in Japan, marking the day in 1947 when a preparatory committee to revive Girl Scouting in Japan was formed.

Ideas for Scout Day

• Pick up a piece of litter on your commute or around your workplace.
• In the spirit of "Be Prepared," check your emergency kit or your work backups.
• Look up local clean-up or volunteer activities.
• Share memories of childhood camping or outdoor activities with family or colleagues.

Small Good Deeds and Everyday Preparedness Support the Community

Scout Day is a day to think about our connection with the local community through service. The Scouts' ideals of "a good turn daily" and "Be Prepared" apply to adults' daily lives as well. Today, why not take one small step to make your surroundings a little better?