April Fools' Day

What Is April Fools' Day?

Every April 1st is "April Fools' Day." In Japanese it's also called "Bangusetsu" (literally, "Day of Foolishness"), a custom that allows for harmless jokes and pranks. Its exact origin isn't established, but the most widely accepted theory traces it back to 16th-century France. New Year's Day was once celebrated on April 1st, but when the king adopted a calendar making January 1st the start of the new year, some people protested by continuing to celebrate April 1st as a "fake New Year."

Historical Background and Various Theories

This event, beloved around the world, is woven together from the histories and cultures of many countries.

• "Poisson d'Avril" (April Fish): This is what the French call April Fools' Day. A traditional prank involves children sneaking paper fish onto people's backs. One theory connects this to April being spawning season for fish, when they're easily caught—likening a fooled person to a "foolish fish."
• The Hindu festival of Holi: Held in late March in India, this festival—where people throw colored powder at each other and enjoy a break from social norms—has also been cited as a possible root of April Fools' Day traditions.

Legendary "Lies" Pulled Off by the Media

April Fools' Day is also a stage where top media outlets and companies compete to show off their creativity.

• BBC's "Spaghetti Tree": In 1957, the BBC aired a fake news segment claiming that spaghetti was being harvested from trees in Switzerland. Afterward, the broadcaster was flooded with inquiries about how to grow such trees—now remembered as one of the greatest pranks in history.
• Burger King's "Left-Handed Whopper": In 1998, Burger King ran an ad in the US announcing a burger "designed specifically for left-handed people." Thousands of customers showed up and placed orders for it.

Interesting Facts About April Fools' Day

• The "lies only until noon" rule: In some countries, including the UK, there's an unspoken understanding that pranks should only happen before noon—anyone who tries to pull one off in the afternoon becomes the "April fool" themselves and gets laughed at.
• Google's annual tradition: Google is famous for its elaborate April Fools' pranks each year. Past stunts have included "catching Pokémon on Google Maps," which is said to have inspired the later development of Pokémon GO.
• The science of jokes and the brain: Coming up with a humorous lie activates high-level creativity and "theory of mind"—the ability to predict how others will react. A clever, harmless prank can be a great workout for the brain.
• Manners and safety: Not all pranks are acceptable. Police and fire departments around the world strictly prohibit pranks like fake emergency calls or jokes that harm someone's dignity, and guidelines now exist to prevent the spread of misinformation on social media.
• Sometimes "truth" gets mixed in too: When Gmail was announced on April 1, 2004, its offer seemed so unbelievably generous that many people assumed it was an April Fools' joke—a famous historical example of fact being mistaken for fiction.

Tips for Spending April Fools' Day

• Prepare just one witty, harmless "gentle lie" that makes people smile the moment they hear it, and use it to add some fun to conversations with friends and family
• Browse the creative special pages that major companies and official websites put up for April 1st, and enjoy their entertainment spirit
• Step away from your usual pursuit of "the truth" for a bit, and use fiction and imagination to talk about impossible futures or dreamlike events, restoring some mental flexibility
• Look into the history behind April Fools' Day and some famous past hoaxes, using it as a playful way to reflect on the importance of media literacy

A Charming "Lie" Born of Imagination Connects People's Hearts and Brings Vivid Surprises to Everyday Life

April 1st is a day to breathe some humor and "play" into a world that can feel suffocating if it's all rigid truth. A lie meant to make someone smile is a product of rich imagination, and having the generosity of spirit to enjoy it is itself a mark of a mature adult. This one day, spent playing on the border between truth and fiction, can spark your creativity and gently loosen up rigid conventions. As a new fiscal year begins in Japan, don't forget a touch of playfulness—the ripples of that smile may make the year ahead brighter and more approachable.