Japan
	School year: April - March School holidays in Japan are set by individual schools or local Boards of Education. Note: as exact dates vary from year to year, approximate timing is given. First term: second week of April - third week of July Second term: first week of September - third week of December Third term: second week of January - third week of March Note: due to exams, many schools stop natural activities from as early as mid- February.
	UK
	School year: September - July School Holidays in the United Kingdom are set by individual schools or Local Education Authorities. Schools take a one-week vacation, "half-term", in the middle of each term. Autumn Term: first week of September - third week of December (half-term holidays: last full week of October) Spring Term: first week of January - last week of March (half-term holidays: second or third week of February) Summer Term: second week of April - third week of July (half-term holidays: week at end of May/beginning of June) Independent schools have longer holidays. They usually begin term around one week later and end term around one week earlier.
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