tbf, in the US at least, the week from Christmas to New Year's Day is most closely the equivalent of Japan's Golden Week. Major national holidays within one week where everyone takes the rest of the time off.I guess it is normal for westerners to have a day off on Christmas
Holidays are just regular workdays? I don't know where you live, but in my dictionary holiday means day off work...Holidays & birthdays are just regular workdays for normal functional members of society