Last Day of Work for the Year at Government Offices in Japan : Goyosame 御用納め　ごようおさめ

Better Get Your Necessary Government Documentation Done By Goyosame!

Goyosame is the last day of work for the year at government offices in Japan. It is December 28th every year.. So you had better get all of your government related business done before this day. The government offices will remain closed until January fourth. In other words, the government New Year Holiday is from December 29th through January 3rd.

Goyosame Is About Finishing Up Business for a Clean Start of the Year

To start a new year with maximum good luck, that you can control, you should finish all old business. This includes paying off debts and thoroughly clean your home, and clearing away old business. The government, too, must clean away old business. So the deadline to get things done so that the offices can be cleaned and prepared for a new year and the workers have a chance to take care of things at home is also Goyosame.

Goyosame! Let’s Go!

During most years Goyosame on December 28th runs pretty smoothly. But in 2020 there is a pandemic. Because of the social distancing guidelines some government business is by reservation to keep from becoming dangerously crowded. This protects the government workers, but people with essential business hat they didn’t prepare for before Goyosame will have a difficult time. So if you have any government business such as visa renewal. updating your driver’s license, business licenses, applying for day care, etc. Please take care to finish it early.