WebNov 23, 2017 · To begin with, the Japanese school system, much like the rest of the world, works by grades which are associated to years. gakunen 学年. School year. atarashii gakunen ga hajimaru 新しい学年が始まる. A new school year begins. sorosoro kono gakunen ga owaru そろそろこの学年が終わる. Soon this school year ends.