Singing has a large part in the Japanese schools curriculum and is also a big part of graduation. 1st-prepare, 2nd-bow, 3rd-return upright. This is coordinated by playing three chords on the piano. The head of ceremonies asks everyone to stand and bow towards the Japanese flag.
The homeroom teacher then joins the rest of the teachers. The students line up next to their chairs and wait for the home room teacher to signal and they all sit at once. They walk in straight lines and make 90 degree turns if turning is necessary. When the graduates enter, they are led by their homeroom teachers. The teachers all stand and bow to them as they enter. The vice principal leads in the local officials and special guests. Underclassmen, parents, and teachers are seated first. They will have a procession of the academic staff and graduands, a valediction and then they are handed the certificates by the chief guest.
The students usually get dressed up in a formal attire, wear a form of academic dress - usually a gown that is worn open in the front, sometimes accompanied by a square hat. At the universities and institutes, the graduation ceremonies are formal affairs, which include an academic procession by both the academic heads and the students. In India the graduation ceremony is commonly known as convocation. The procedures and traditions surrounding academic graduation ceremonies differ around the world.
