May Day is one of the dates that most countries in the world celebrate the Labor Day. But in Japan it is not officially designated by the Japanese government as a national holiday.
That is, this date is not among the other national holidays, but it is a day of rest for the vast majority of Japanese workers. Many employers give it as a day off so workers take it as "paid vacation."
It should be added that May 01 occurs during the call «Golden week"Along with April 29 (" Showa Day "), May 3 (" Constitution Memorial Day "), May 4 (" Green Day ") and May 5 (" Children's Day "). Kids"). Workers generally take the day off from work, not so much to join street demonstrations or union meetings, but more to go on vacation for several consecutive days.
Some large unions organize rallies and demonstrations in Tokyo, Osaka and Nagoya. In 2011, the National Confederation of Trade Unions held a rally in Yoyogi Park with 54.000 participants, while the National Council of Trade Unions held its May Day rally in Hibiya Park.