How long is the school year in japan?

In Japan, the school year starts in April and ends in March of the following year. For public elementary and junior high schools, it consists of three semesters:

1. First semester: April to July

2. Second semester: September to December

3. Third semester: January to March

Each semester is usually around 15 weeks long and ends with a break, with the longest summer break between the first and second semester around July and August. The school year begins in April to align with the start of a new fiscal year which makes it easier for budgeting and administrative purpose while aligning with many company fiscal years so parents' time off aligns best with school breaks.

Additionally, public schools hold school events and ceremonies called "gakkou gyōji(学校行事 ) such as sports day (undōkai 運動会), school trip/excursion (shugaku ryokō 修学旅行), school festivals (gakuen sai 学園祭 or bunkasai 文化祭 or shougakusai 生徒会).