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.