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

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.

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)”

Why Do Japanese Girls Want the “Second Button” from a Uniform? (The Graduation Romance)

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