Why Does Everything Start on April 1st? (The “Sakura” New Year)

Last updated: March 20, 2026

The Calendar Shift
In the US, school starts in September. In Japan, the world resets on April 1st. It is not an April Fool’s joke. The government budget, school year, and company fiscal year all begin on this day. For Japanese people, April feels more like “New Year” than January 1st.

The Mass Ceremony
On April 1st, you will see armies of young people in identical, ill-fitting black suits. This is the “Nyusha-shiki” (Company Entrance Ceremony). Japanese companies hire new graduates all at once. They enter the company together, train together, and work together like a cohesive batch.

The Cherry Blossom Connection
Why April? It coincides with the Sakura (Cherry Blossoms). In Japanese culture, the blooming of Sakura symbolizes “New Beginnings” and “Farewells.” A photo of a first-grader in a new uniform standing under a cherry tree is the quintessential image of Japanese spring.

The “Freshman” Look
It is easy to spot the “Newcomers.”

・Work: Nervous faces, brand new shoes, and checking their phones for directions. Please be kind to them; they are terrified!

・School: Tiny kids with giant backpacks, or college students with dyed hair (trying to look cool).

A Clean Slate
This system creates a strong sense of “Chapters” in life. When the petals fall, the old year ends. When the buds bloom, a new life begins. It is a poetic way to organize society, aligning human growth with the cycle of nature.

The End Before the Beginning (Related Articles)
April 1st is the “Start Line,” but to understand the relief on everyone’s faces, you need to know about the chaos of March.

1. The March Madness Before the calm of April, the whole country goes into panic mode. March is the “End of the Fiscal Year,” filled with moving trucks, farewell parties, and stress.
👉 Why is everyone running around? Check out: “Why Is Japan So Busy and Emotional in March? (The ‘Fiscal Year’ Frenzy)”

Why Is Japan So Busy and Emotional in March? (The “Fiscal Year” Frenzy)

2. The Romantic Goodbye Before putting on a fresh suit for the entrance ceremony, students must say goodbye to their school uniforms. In March, they give away their “Second Button” as a sign of love.
👉 Why the second button? Check out: “Why Do Japanese Girls Want the ‘Second Button’ from a Uniform? (The Graduation Romance)”