Restoration of Sovereignty Day in Japan Date in the current year: April 28, 2024

After the Second World War, General Douglas MacArthur was appointed as Supreme Commander of the Allied Powers. He supervised the occupation of Japan by the Allies and was given direct control over the country's main islands. It was the first time in the history of Japan that it had been occupied.

The occupation was ended by the Treaty of San Francisco. It was signed on September 8, 1951 and entered into force on April 28, 1952. The treaty officially restored Japanese independence, with the exception of the Ryukyu Islands that had remained occupied until 1972.

In 2012, Prime Minister of Japan Shinzō Abe came up with the idea of celebrating a holiday that would mark the end of the Allied occupation of Japan on April 28, 1952. The first event was held on April 28, 2013 at Kensei Kinenkan Hall in Tokyo. Emperor Akihito, Empress Michiko and about 300 guests were in attendance.

This observance is quite controversial because Okinawa Island was left under the United States control under 1972. Many citizens of Okinawa Prefecture regard it as a day of disgrace and hold rallies to protest the sovereignty ceremony.