Kenkoku Kinen No Hi (also known as Kenkoku Kinenbi) is celebrated on February 11 and is a national holiday. The purpose of National Foundation day is to celebrate the establishment of the country — it is a patriotic holiday.

Subsequent to World War II, Kenkoku Kinen No Hi was abolished, In 1966, law re-established the holiday as it is now celebrated.

Early Japanese history books indicate that on this day in the year 660 BC, the first Japanese emperor was crowned. When the holiday was established to commemorate Emperor Jinmu’s taking the throne, it was known as Kigen-setsu. Historians disagree on the details of Emperor Jinmu’s enthronement to this day, but the legend remains part of the holiday.