Occidental holidays in Japan

[Kurara]

I know Christmas is a holiday in Japan, but I'm always surprised when I see anime characters celebrate it like American or European people. I know they also celebrate Valentine's day and some other holidays. Since traditional occidental culture is very different than traditional Japanese / oriental culture, I was wondering why it's so popular in Japan. I know it has to do with assimilation, but they don't celebrate it in some other Asian countries. Also, to what extent are those holidays popular? Is it just like here or a minor holiday?

[Shii]

Christmas is not an official holiday in Japan... the Emperor's Birthday is, and so is New Years', so it is a holiday season.

Christmas is associated with romance more.

[Kurara]

Really?..
That's strange. ^_^;; But when I think of it, I often saw characters talk about how they want to spend Christmas with their boyfriends or girlfriends. I wonder why it's that way though.

[Shii]

Remember that Japan is, like, 0.3% Christian.

[Lord Raiden]

True, but Christmas isn't nessisarily seen as a Christian holiday in other parts of the world. It is however seen as a family holiday where family gets together and enjoys each other's company and exchanges gifts.

For anyone interested, here's the normally observed holiday's in Japan.

http://www.japan-guide.com/e/e2062.html

I'd be curious from our Japanese members which of these holidays would be special enough that workers would be given the day off with pay, or just the day off period. ^_^

[Kurara]

Originally Posted by Lord Raiden

True, but Christmas isn't nessisarily seen as a Christian holiday in other parts of the world. It is however seen as a family holiday where family gets together and enjoys each other's company and exchanges gifts.

For anyone interested, here's the normally observed holiday's in Japan.

http://www.japan-guide.com/e/e2062.html

I'd be curious from our Japanese members which of these holidays would be special enough that workers would be given the day off with pay, or just the day off period. ^_^

^_^;; Oh, I really don't know.. I don't look at it from a Christian point of view because I'm not Christian. And I know that.. Christmas is always the holiday with gifts and food and Santa. :P

I just find it kinda odd that.. You guys say it's a romantic holiday, which makes a lot of sense.. ^^;; But there's a lot of Santa's and stuff like that which isn't really romantic.. @_@;; Also do kids actually believe in Santa? what's the point of Santa being there if kids don't believe in it, or if Japanese people don't exchange presents? ^^;;;

[Shii]

Originally Posted by The Small One

Hm, yesterday my japanese friend told me, that it isn't a family thing, but more something for couples to spent some time together.

Popular opinion seems to side with me

[Oneesama]

well~ my POV would be =)
holidays are for people to relax and brings family/friends/lovers (minasan) together so I guess it's not only Christmas, and Valentine's day~ but from Chinese New Year to American Independence Day