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Were one inclined to choose a single day to enjoy on the calendar, one could hope for no better than June 1, on which no less than nine items are celebrated. It is Electric Wave Day (according to the Ministry of Posts and Telecommunications), Pearl Day (according to the Japan Pearl Promotion Association), Photography Day (according to the Japan Photography Association), Screw Day (according to the Japan Screw Industry Association), Mugicha (barley tea) Day (according to the National Mugicha Industry Union), Chewing Gum Day (according to the Chewing Gum Association), and Ice Day (according to the Japan Freezer Association), to say nothing of the fact that the first aluminum ¥1 coin made its debut on this day in 1955 as did the hugely popular Mild Seven cigarette brand in 1977, and Ton Ton, the first panda born by artificial insemination at Ueno Zoo, in 1986.

And if one day a year wasn't enough, some shameless industries have gone as far as claiming a certain day of the week or month as their own. The National Citrus Fruit Advertising Board has deemed the eighth of every month Fruit Day. The choice of day ties in with the phrase, "Oyatsu ni kudamono wo" (Eat fruit as an afternoon snack). Roof Day was once on the 8th of August, but the Federation of Ceramic Tilemakers has now given it monthly status. Next time you find yourself out with friends on the 9th, why not stop in for a chunk of whale? A deal has been struck between the national Whaling Association and participating restaurants to offer discounts on Whale Day. Mainichi Shimbun has made the 22nd of every month Married Couple Day, a rather impressive step up from its former stronghold on November 22. No My Car Day, that delicious grammatical construct, has become lodged permanently in the public ear, but how many of us know that the 20th of each month is also Protect Young People from Delinquency Day? Since 1982, the Metropolitan Police Agency has helped organize park cleanups and agricultural laboring to keep young hands busy and out of trouble on this day. Surely the advice of the National Federation of Hairdressers, if heeded, would have a more positive effect on the youth of today: "At least once a month, take the time to lovingly comb your hair." On the 18th of every month, the federation lays aside its shears and answers any and all inquiries concerning your silken locks (03-3379-4111). While on the subject of things long and snaky, it must also be noted that every Sunday is every much Ramen Day as it is Pasta Day. This all started with the 1982 pop hit, "Sunday, Men-day."

And when will it end? Surely not until a future government decides to switch to another system of slicing up time and we are returned once more to year zero.