From 2026, Labor Day (May 1) and Constitution Day (July 17) are among the public holidays for government offices. According to news reports, the amendment to the relevant regulation was approved at the Cabinet meeting on April 28, 2026. So how many more red days does the calendar actually have, and what changes when you take leave? Using the Hyuilmoa data and calculation functions, here is what those two days changed.
What days of the week are the two holidays?
Even for the same holiday, a weekday adds a day off, while a weekend makes the question whether a substitute holiday applies. Based on the site data:
| Year | Date | Day | Result |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 | May 1, Labor Day | Fri | 3-day break, May 1-3 |
| 2026 | Jul 17, Constitution Day | Fri | 3-day break, Jul 17-19 |
| 2027 | May 1, Labor Day | Sat | Substitute holiday on May 3 (Mon), 3-day break, May 1-3 |
| 2027 | Jul 17, Constitution Day | Sat | Substitute holiday on Jul 19 (Mon), 3-day break, Jul 17-19 |
In 2026 both days fall on a Friday, so weekday days off rose by 2 straight away. In 2027 both fall on a Saturday, so a weekday off only appears if a substitute holiday is attached. The Hyuilmoa data includes May 3 and July 19, 2027 as substitute holidays. However, Labor Day has a different status as a day off under the Labor Standards Act, and news reports describe how a substitute day applies in different ways. Until it is confirmed, be sure to check the Ministry of Personnel Management announcement.
How many more holidays are there?
The holidays registered in the site data are 22 in 2026 and 24 in 2027. Of these, 6 in 2026 and 9 in 2027 overlap with a Saturday or Sunday. Both years’ numbers include Labor Day and Constitution Day. In 2026 both days are weekdays, so the days off truly increased; in 2027 they overlap a weekend, so you only feel the difference if a substitute holiday is given.
May: 5 days off for 1 leave day
The most noticeable change is May. The calculation function (recommendLeave) recommends a 5-day break for 1 leave day in both years.
- 2026: take just May 4 (Mon) and you rest 5 days, from May 1 (Fri) to May 5 (Tue), efficiency 5.0
- 2027: take just May 4 (Tue) and you rest 5 days, from May 1 (Sat) to May 5 (Wed), efficiency 5.0
In 2026 the bridge day is the Monday between Labor Day (Fri) and Children’s Day (Tue); in 2027 it is the Tuesday between the Labor Day substitute holiday (Mon) and Children’s Day (Wed). This structure did not exist before Labor Day became a holiday. How leave efficiency is calculated is covered in detail in our post on the leave efficiency formula.
Constitution Day ends as a 3-day break
Unlike May, July has no leave recommendation of its own. The weekdays around Constitution Day are all ordinary working days, so in 2026 the Friday joins the weekend into a 3-day break, and in 2027 the Saturday and the substitute holiday Monday form a 3-day break. You can stretch it by adding summer vacation, but that is a separate plan from leave efficiency.
Things to watch when planning
- Company days off differ from company to company. Whether a public holiday is a legally paid holiday and whether a substitute day is given depends on your work rules and employment contract.
- 2027 temporary holidays and election days are not yet in the data. If a new holiday is added, the structure of the breaks changes.
- For the May 3 Labor Day substitute holiday, it is safer to book flights and lodging after the official announcement is confirmed.
To check on your own calendar, enter your dates in Hyuilmoa’s long weekend calendar and leave planner. You can see how substitute holidays are decided in the substitute holiday guide.