It’s not always the same day, this year is just coincidental.
Being a holiday established during the post-war US occupation of Japan, though, I wouldn’t say it is entirely disconnected from the US holiday. It was willed into existence by Americans based on the fact that the US also celebrates a holiday around that time of year, and so the name is not coincidental.
I’d consider them as related as Christmas and Yule, at least.
It’s not always the same day, this year is just coincidental.
Being a holiday established during the post-war US occupation of Japan, though, I wouldn’t say it is entirely disconnected from the US holiday. It was willed into existence by Americans based on the fact that the US also celebrates a holiday around that time of year, and so the name is not coincidental.
I’d consider them as related as Christmas and Yule, at least.