Today I attended my first elementary school graduation in Japan! Unique from the junior high schools, elementary school graduations are a much more intimate event. Depending on the size of the school, most students are not recognized individualy at the JHS level. However, at today’s elementary school graduation, each 6th grader received their diploma personally from the school principal. After which, every attempt to make teachers, students and their parents cry was made. Each 6th grader had a part in a class speech thanking everyone in attendance, including the school cooks. Then the teachers thanked the students, followed by the PTA thanking teachers, then the 5th graders thanked the 6th graders, and then songs were sung in every direction. If there wasn’t anyone crying at this point, a slide show was added for good measure, as the students left the gym to instruments played by the entire 4th and 5th grade. In the end, mission accomplished – everyone left the ceremony wiping away tears.