Set out on the right foot on Departure Day

Today, and April 8th annually, is Departure Day 出発の日 (Shuppatsu no hi) in Japan. It means "departure" in the sense of "setting out" for the day, rather than specifically setting out on a journey. It is a reminder, as the new school year starts, to start out each morning on the right foot.

The commemoration encourages people to start their mornings with a proper breakfast, something that often slips during busy transitions. It's no surprise that a company that would benefit from people eating breakfast, started this anniversary, but the exact company that started it is a bit of a surprise: Knorr. As in the German soup company. But their soups are very popular in Japan and are actually often eaten at breakfast!

The reason for the April 8th date, apart from it being the start of a new school year, is that 4/8 can be read as "shi(4) happa (8) which echoes the sound of "shuppatsu" making it a symbolic reminder to set off on the right foot.