Senate Resolution No. 87

BY: Senator PARKER

RECOGNIZING February 11, 2023, as Japan's National
Foundation Day, and paying tribute to New Yorkers of
Japanese origin

WHEREAS, Japan's National Foundation Day is an annual national
holiday in Japan held on February 11th, celebrating the foundation of
Japan, enforced by a specific Cabinet Order set in 1966; and

WHEREAS, The origin of Japan's National Foundation Day is New Year's
Day in the traditional lunisolar calendar; on that day, the foundation
of Japan by the mythical Emperor Jimmu was celebrated based on the Nihon
Shoki, which states that Emperor Jimmu ascended to the throne on the
first day of the first month; and

WHEREAS, There is, however, no historical evidence that Emperor
Jimmu actually existed, and the year 660 BC is far earlier than any
known emperor; it is considered to have been arbitrarily chosen based on
an ancient Chinese belief that that year would have been an auspicious
one for revolutionary change; and

WHEREAS, In the Meiji period, the government of Meiji Japan
designated the day as a national holiday because of the modernization of
Japan by the Meiji Restoration; under the bakufu, people in Japan had
worshiped the emperors as living gods, but regional loyalties were just
as strong as national loyalties with most people feeling an equal or a
stronger loyalty to whatever daimyo ("lord") that ruled over their
province as they did to the shogun who ruled from distant Edo, let alone
the emperor who reigned in the equally distant city of Kyoto; and

WHEREAS, This great Empire state has the largest concentration of
New Yorkers of Japanese origin living outside of Japan; and

WHEREAS, New Yorkers of Japanese origin have made outstanding
contributions throughout American society; their rich cultural heritage
and traditions have contributed greatly to the quality of life for
residents of New York; through their hard work and tenacious efforts,
they have helped create a thriving multi-cultural community; now,
therefore, be it

RESOLVED, That this Legislative Body pause in its deliberations to
recognize February 11, 2023, as Japan's National Foundation Day, and to
pay tribute to New Yorkers of Japanese origin.