Japan increases public holidays

Breathtaking view of Mt Fuji, Japan. Mountain Day will be celebrated on Aug 11, starting from 2016. - AFP photo

JAPAN has established Mountain Day as its new public holiday, taking the annual total to 16 as the government looks for ways to keep a famously hardworking people out of the office.

Legislation to create the new holiday on Aug 11 was enacted after passing through the Upper House with the support of a majority of ruling and opposition lawmakers, a parliamentary official said.