Graduation Ceremony, 卒業

Junior high school students in Japan attending their graduation ceremony while the principal gives his speech on the eve of the great east Japan Earthquake. Interestingly I was the designated cameraman that day. Got some really great shots but of course because of privacy they can’t be shared. I think this one is fine as faces cannot be seen. Most students will go on to high school and few will begin working. Japan is one of the few countries where nationals can still get by with a junior high certificate but those days are slowly fading.