- March 16, 2026
- BELONGING JAPAN
A graduation ceremony in Japan is called 卒業式 (sotsugyōshiki) and written as 卒業式 in Japanese. It is an important event that marks the completion of a stage of education.
Graduation ceremonies are held for many levels of schooling, including kindergarten, elementary school, junior high school, high school, and university. The ceremony is usually formal and emotional, bringing together students, teachers, and families to celebrate achievements and say goodbye to classmates and teachers.
For many people in Japan, the graduation ceremony is one of the most memorable moments of school life. It not only marks the end of a school journey but also the beginning of a new chapter.
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Table of Contents
Chapter1: When Are Graduation Ceremonies Held in Japan?
In Japan, the school year begins in April and ends in March. Because of this schedule, most graduation ceremonies take place in March.
Students usually graduate at the following stages:
Kindergarten (around age 6)
Elementary school (around age 12)
Junior high school (around age 15)
High school (around age 18)
University (around age 22)
March is also the season when spring begins in Japan. This timing makes the graduation ceremony feel like both an ending and a new beginning.
Chapter 2: What Happens During a Graduation Ceremony?
A typical graduation ceremony in Japan follows a formal program. The ceremony usually takes place in the school gymnasium or auditorium.
Common parts of the ceremony include:
Opening remarks by school staff
Singing the national anthem or school song
Presentation of diplomas to students
Speeches by the principal and guests
A speech by a student representative
Songs performed by students
The atmosphere is respectful and often emotional.
Chapter 3: What Do Students Wear?
Clothing for a graduation ceremony in Japan is usually formal.
Many students wear:
School uniforms for elementary, junior high, and high school graduations
Hakama for university graduations (popular among female students)
Suits for male university students
The hakama is traditional Japanese clothing worn over a kimono. Many female university students choose colorful kimono and hakama combinations for their graduation ceremony. Because of this, university graduations often look very colorful and festive.
Chapter 4: Graduation Traditions Unique to Japan
Some traditions make a graduation ceremony in Japan special and memorable. While older customs existed in the past, many modern traditions now focus on sharing memories with classmates.
In the past, a well-known tradition was the “second button” (第二ボタン) tradition. Female students sometimes asked a male student for the second button of his school uniform as a symbol of special feelings. However, this custom is now considered old-fashioned and is rarely seen today.
Instead, students today celebrate their graduation ceremony in different ways. Many exchange letters or message cards with friends and teachers to express gratitude. It is also very common for students to take photos and short videos together to remember their school days.
Another popular trend is “chalkboard art” (黒板アート). Students decorate the classroom blackboard with drawings, messages, and colorful designs. The decorated blackboard becomes a photo spot, where classmates gather to take graduation pictures together.
Chapter 5: Useful Japanese Words for Graduation
Here are some useful Japanese words related to a graduation ceremony in Japan.
| English | Kanji | Romaji |
|---|---|---|
|
Graduation Ceremony |
卒業式 |
Sotsugyōshiki |
|
Diploma |
卒業証書 |
Sotsugyō Shōsho |
|
School Song |
校歌 |
Kōka |
|
Graduate |
卒業生 |
Sotsugyōsei |
|
Current Student |
在校生 |
Zaikōsei |
