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APR

April

The new school/academic and fiscal year begins April 1 in Japan, so it is a time of commencement ceremonies of all kinds, at schools, universities, as well as companies. It is a time for making new acquaintances, as students are grouped with new classmates or enter new schools. The beginning of the school year is often associated with the cherry blossom season, but since the season comes at different times in different parts of Japan’s long archipelago, the flowers may have long passed by commencement day in some parts, be in full bloom in others, and still tightly in their buds in yet other areas.
When the cherry blossoms begin to appear, the parks and other public areas with cherry trees are soon filled with people enjoying parties under the blossoms.

Holidays: Showa Day (Showa no Hi; April 29)