In Japan, the school year finishes in March. So march is the month of farewell.

At first, I'll show you the Japanese education system.Students go to elementary school for six years, then go to junior high school for three years. These nine years are called compulsory education. Then, most students go to senior high school for three years. After that, some go to junior college for two years and some go to college for four years. In 1996, 46.2% of all high school graduates went on to college or junior college.

Every year or two years, the students must change classes, so they feel a little sorrow for having to part from their close friends. And each graduation, students have a big hope for a new life, but always feel sorrow for separation.

The business year also finishes in March. In the first week of March, changes in the staff are announced.The company decides what kind of work you will do and where you will go. Japanese companies often ask employees to move to different cities to gain various business experiences. If you don't accept the company's demands, your situation will become bad. So, the businessmen and their families are always nervous about the announcement of transfers. If you receive the order to transfer, your family must move to a new city in two or three weeks, because the new business year starts from April. In exchange for this kind of loyalty, the company gives the security of lifetime employment. If the family has to move, each family member has sorrow for the separation from their friends.

March is a beautiful month in Japan. Spring starts, many flowers bloom, Nature consoles the sorrow of farewell and suggests a hope of new life. After separating, new acquaintauces are waiting for you.