Parents' Day (Ryōshin no Hi)

What Is Parents' Day?

September 30th is "Parents' Day" (両親の日, Ryōshin no Hi) in Japan. It was established by Mr. Matsunaga (松永真樹) of "Chō Mugen Daigaku" ("Super ∞ University") and is certified and registered by the Japan Anniversary Association. The date comes from reading "9" and "30" in reverse as "039," which can be read as "otōsan, okāsan (0), sankyū (39)" — "Dad, Mom, thank you." It is a day to express gratitude to one's parents, and events are held where people say "thank you for bringing me into the world" in front of their parents.

A "Thank You" Hidden in the Numbers

The date of Parents' Day carries one more reading as well.

• Established by: Mr. Matsunaga (松永真樹) of Chō Mugen Daigaku
• Origin 1: 9 and 30 read backwards as "039" = "Dad and Mom (0), thank you (39)"
• Origin 2: "When times were hard (9), you always supported me (3), Dad and Mom (0), thank you"
• Purpose: To make it a day when children thank their parents and give something back

What Is Chō Mugen Daigaku?

Chō Mugen Daigaku is an organization whose aim is to help people realize that their potential is "limitless" and to build, together with friends, the power to turn what they want to do into reality. Although it is not a university under Japan's School Education Act, it runs courses such as job-hunting seminars. The anniversary carries its wish to make this "a day when parents shine because of their children."

Fun Facts About Thanking Parents

• Mother's Day and Father's Day in Japan: In Japan, Mother's Day is the second Sunday of May and Father's Day is the third Sunday of June. Parents' Day is a chance to thank both parents at once.
• Korea's "Parents' Day": In South Korea, May 8th is "Eobeoinal" (Parents' Day), when people traditionally give carnations to their parents.
• Parents' Day in the United States: In 1994, the United States designated the fourth Sunday of July as "Parents' Day."
• A reversed wordplay: Reading the date backwards is an unusual type of Japanese number wordplay, read as "039" rather than "0930."

Ways to Spend Parents' Day

• Say "thank you" to your parents by phone or message
• Ask them about your childhood or about their own younger days
• Make time to share a meal or go for a walk together
• If you live apart, send them a photo with an update on your life

A Simple "Thank You," However Shy You Feel

September 30th is a chance to put into words the gratitude toward our parents that we rarely express. Unlike Mother's Day or Father's Day, this day lets you thank both of them together. Even a short message is sure to get your feelings across.