March is a very important month in Japan. It is the month when the most changes take place. Almost all annual activities conclude in March, such as the fiscal year, school year, most annual contracts, leases, office reshuffling, organizational changes, and so on. Consequently, April is the next most important month in the year as that is when the new fiscal year starts, new school year starts, most new employees are hired, and those that have received promotions during the year get to begin their new position. A frantic energy exists in the air as so much change takes place in this land where people and things normally seem reluctant to change.
March/April is also the time that people tend to move for job transfers. This means that children are switching schools as their fathers take their new assignment in another city, overseas, and so on. In Michael and Tommy’s schools they are already receiving new classmates and saying good-bye to other classmates as they wait for news of which class they will be in from April.
As if in perfect Japanese timing, this is also the month when the Cherry Blossoms begin to bloom. The beauty and fragrance of these trees seems to provide some calm to all of the changes taking place. People often travel around to view the different areas famous for Cherry Blossoms. And of course, the Japanese love to have picnics and parties under the Cherry Blossom trees. Here are a couple of pictures from the web.
