Constitution Memorial Day speech template (Japan)
Published 10 October 2026 · Date checked on 5 October 2026 · Written by the Cue Card Converter team at EventProgrammer, event production professionals
Constitution Memorial Day, Kenpō Kinenbi, is a public holiday in Japan on 3 May. It marks the day in 1947 when the Constitution of Japan came into effect, six months after it was promulgated on 3 November 1946. The law describes the day as a time to commemorate the Constitution's entry into force and to look ahead to the nation's growth. It falls during Golden Week, a cluster of spring holidays, and lectures and public events about the Constitution are held around the country.
- Date
- May 3
- Next dates
- Monday 3 May 2027
Wednesday 3 May 2028
Thursday 3 May 2029 - Country
- Japan
- Tone
- Celebratory
- Typical events
- Law faculties and student societies, civic and community associations, Japanese schools and associations abroad, and public lectures held just before or during Golden Week.
- Length
- 180 spoken words · about 1.5 min at 130 words a minute · 4 cue cards
The Constitution Memorial Day speech, ready as cue cards
A complete host script in 4 cards, about 1.5 minutes of speaking. Open it in the editor to add your names, change the card size or highlights, and print.
- HELLO AND WELCOME1 / 4
Good afternoon, everyone. I'm {Your name}, and on behalf of {Organisation} welcome to our Constitution Memorial Day gathering. For many of you this is the middle of Golden Week, so thank you for giving part of your holiday to a document that shapes daily life in Japan. - THREE PRINCIPLES2 / 4
On 3 May 1947, the Constitution of Japan came into effect. Schoolchildren learn its three basic principles: sovereignty of the people, respect for fundamental human rights, and pacifism. Its articles reach into ordinary life too, from the right to vote to the right to an education. - OUR GUEST SPEAKER3 / 4
To help us think about the Constitution in everyday life, I'm pleased to introduce {Guest speaker, title}. Our speaker will talk for about ten minutes, and there will be time for a few questions afterwards. Please make our guest welcome.
[APPLAUSE – SPEAKER TO LECTERN] - THANK YOU4 / 4
Thank you to {Guest speaker, title} for a thoughtful talk, and to all of you for your questions. A constitution is a set of shared promises, and it stays alive when people know what it says. Enjoy the rest of Golden Week, and thank you for coming.
Red is used only for names, titles, organisations, dates, times and section headings. Replace the words in {curly brackets} with your own details; lines in [SQUARE BRACKETS] are stage directions and are not read aloud.
How to adapt it
- Constitutional revision is debated in Japan. Brief your speaker that the event marks the 1947 Constitution itself and should stay non-partisan, without arguing for or against amendments.
- The holiday sits in Golden Week, between Shōwa Day on 29 April and Children's Day on 5 May. Many people travel, so consider holding your event a few days earlier and adjusting 'today' in the cards.
- The Constitution was promulgated on 3 November 1946, now Culture Day, and took effect six months later. Mentioning this helps guests understand why the holiday falls in May.
- A printed copy of the Preamble, in Japanese with an English translation, makes a useful handout and gives guests something to discuss with the speaker.
Print and rehearse
“Edit and print these cards” opens the script in the free cue card maker, where you can choose A5, 4 × 6 or 3 × 5 inch cards, print several per sheet with cut lines or export PDF, PowerPoint and Word, and rehearse full screen in practice mode. To write your own programme around it, see how to write an MC script and the run of show template.
Sources
Date and background checked on 5 October 2026 against: 各「国民の祝日」について - 内閣府. Customs vary between organisations and regions; always follow the official programme of your event.
More Japan speech templates
- National Foundation Day · February 11
- Day to Commemorate the War Dead and Pray for Peace · August 15