In Japan, both the academic and fiscal years begin in April.

Graduation ceremonies are held in March, and in early April, you may have noticed children and their parents attending entrance ceremonies for new schools. You might have also seen school gates decorated with flowers and banners reading “卒業式 (Graduation Ceremony)” or “入学式(Entrance Ceremony).”

This system dates back to the Meiji era when Japan adopted a fiscal year running from April to March, reportedly influenced by the British fiscal calendar.

Additionally, spring in Japan symbolizes new beginnings—cherry blossoms bloom, and the cold winter gives way to warmth, making it a fitting time for fresh starts.

Japan determines school years using April 1 as the cutoff date. This means that children born between April 2 and the following April 1 belong to the same academic year.

As a result, children born between January 1 and April 1 are called “早生まれ(haya-umare)” (early-born). For example, a child born on April 2, 2024, and another born on April 1, 2025, will be in the same grade. However, a child born just one day later, on April 2, 2025, will be placed in the grade below.

Since early-born children are the youngest in their grade, they often show developmental differences compared to their older classmates, particularly in their early years. However, these differences tend to even out over time.

In many other countries, parents have the flexibility to choose which grade their child enters, and in some cases, they can delay enrollment by a year. In contrast, Japan strictly follows a birthdate-based system, with no option to start in a lower grade.

This has led to a saying: “Entrance exams begin the moment you conceive a child.”

Why? Because early-born children are often seen as being at a disadvantage in competitive exams due to developmental differences compared to their spring-born peers.

There is even a rumor that some schools may be less likely to accept early-born children in order to maintain high academic standards, though this is not officially acknowledged.

Cherry blossoms are blooming, and this season brings new beginnings for many.

Anyways, huge congratulations to all the new students and employees!