Why does the Japanese fiscal year start in April?

In many countries, the new year begins in January.
Also, since many countries have school starts in September, Japan's April start date can seem a little strange to foreigners.
So why does the new fiscal year start in April in Japan?

[The accounting system began in the Meiji period]
Japan's current fiscal year (April to March of the following year) was established during the Meiji period. As part of the country's modernization, the Japanese government set the national fiscal year to begin in April.
There are theories that Japan was modeling its system on the British system at the time, and that the fiscal year end was shifted in order to cover the government's deficit at the time.
In any case, this "fiscal year (the period for calculating government money)" became the standard, and schools and businesses also began their school year in April.
[Agriculture and tax cycle]
Japan during the Meiji period was an agricultural-based society. At that time, taxes were sometimes paid in rice rather than money. Rice was harvested in the fall, sold to make money, taxes were paid in the winter, and a new budget was set in the spring (April).
This trend suited the rhythm of life in Japan, so April became established as the new dividing line.
[School will start in April]
In line with the national fiscal year, school enrollment also began in April.
As a result, in Japan,
・School year
・Company fiscal year
・Personnel transfers of civil servants
All of this is happening in April, which is a rare occurrence worldwide.
[What about other countries?]
The calendar year runs from January to December, but the fiscal year varies from country to country.
・US Federal Government: October to September of the following year
・Australia: July to June of the following year
・Many schools: Start in September
Japan is unique in that schools, businesses, and government agencies all start at the same time on April 1st.
[Cherry Blossoms and New Life]
April is spring in Japan, the season when cherry blossoms bloom and new beginnings begin.
Entrance ceremonies and cherry blossoms are two of the most iconic scenes in Japanese culture. In addition to historical reasons, the Japanese sense of the seasons, "spring is the time to start something new," also makes starting school in April special.

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