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Source: Japan Today (Tokyo)
The government of Japan is planning to scrap the "Happy Mondays" system whereby 4 of Japan's public holidays always occur on a Monday, so that people can enjoy long holidays at a time instead of 3-day weekends.
Japan's Minister of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism, Seiji Maehara, has been leading the government's "Holiday Decentralization Working Team" which is looking for an alternative to the "Happy Mondays" system introduced in 2000 (23-Oct-1998) and expanded in 2003 (22-Jun-2001), whereby the public holidays for Coming of Age Day, Marine Day, Respect for the Aged Day, and Health-Sports Day are always observed on a Monday.
Under the proposals being considered, Japan would be divided into five different zones whose spring Golden Week public holidays, and autumn Silver Week public holidays, would be staggered by zone (in a manner akin to what is done in many European countries for school holidays).
There are some reports that the legislation will be implemented as early as 2012, but many local observers remain sceptical of a rapid enactment.
Related links:
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Japan 2012 bank holidays and public holidays (current year)
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Japan 2013 bank holidays and public holidays (next year)
• Japan bank holidays and public holidays (news and updates)
• Worldwide
bank holidays and public holidays news updates (February 2010)
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Japan Considering Abolishing Happy Mondays Public Holidays