Paper Airplane Day: in honor of a special boy

Today, and May 8th annually, is Paper Airplane Day 紙飛行機の日 (Kami hikōki no hi) in Japan. The commemoration was created by the Origami Airplane Association in Fukuyama City. The date of the anniversary is both a pun on how the date can be read and a message: "Go (5) High (8)"!

The date expresses the wish for paper planes to soar, but it also holds a deeper meaning. It honors Takeshi Inoue, a boy who loved paper airplanes and, despite living with Down Syndrome and Leukemia, inspired many people with his bright, uplifting spirit. He passed away on this date, May 8th, in 2002 at just nine years old.

The anniversary encourages people to rediscover the simple joy of folding and flying a single sheet of paper - a reminder how we all have creativity in us and a reminder to take on challenges with courage.