Back to School! Second Semester Kicks off with Sports Day!
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| A typical sports day event in Japan. |
Here in Japan, September means returning to school
after five weeks of a homework and club activity filled summer vacation. Unlike
the states, this is the start of the second semester of the year. What with all
the homework and club activities making the kids come to school every single
day of the summer anyway, it was hardly a break was it? Still, at junior high
the school starts the second semester with an opening ceremony and all periods
devoted to practicing for the sports meet (called 体育祭 taiiku sai in junior high, 運動会 undoukai in elementary school) on the Saturday at the end of the
week (it varies between schools, but at least within the few weeks).
Unlike the U.S., sports day is a big event, perhaps the biggest of the
year, and the reason it’s held on Saturday is so the whole family can come to
cheer on their kids. Or maybe just to make everyone come to school on Saturday. Anyway, families
set up chairs and tents and bring a big spread for lunch.