What Japanese year was I born in?

Have you ever wondered how your birth year corresponds to the Japanese calendar? Japan has a unique system of dating based on eras, where each era is associated with the reign of an emperor. If you’ve ever come across terms like Showa, Heisei, or Reiwa while discussing Japanese history or culture, you may be curious to know which era aligns with your birth year. In this article, we will provide you with a helpful table that converts Gregorian years to their corresponding Japanese eras from 1950 to 2025. Whether you’re planning a trip to Japan, studying its history, or simply curious about your Japanese zodiac sign, this guide will assist you in discovering the Japanese year in which you were born. So, let’s dive into the captivating world of Japanese calendar conversions and unravel the enigma of your birth year in the Land of the Rising Sun.

To avoid confusion, it is important to specify the era when referring to dates or events that occurred during or around the era changes in 1989 and 2019. This ensures that individuals born in those years are correctly associated with the appropriate era.

The note about the era changing is important to avoid confusion, particularly for individuals who were born in 1989 or 2019. Let’s delve into more details:

1. Era Change from Showa to Heisei (1989):
   • The Showa era, which began on December 25, 1926, ended on January 7, 1989, with the passing of Emperor Hirohito (Emperor Showa).
   • The Heisei era commenced on January 8, 1989, the day after Emperor Akihito ascended the throne.
   • People born before January 8, 1989, are considered to be born in the Showa era, while those born on or after that date are considered to be born in the Heisei era.
2. Era Change from Heisei to Reiwa (2019):
   • The Heisei era, which began on January 8, 1989, continued until April 30, 2019, when Emperor Akihito abdicated.
   • The Reiwa era started on May 1, 2019, with the enthronement of Emperor Naruhito, the son of Emperor Akihito.
   • Individuals born before April 30, 2019, are considered to be born in the Heisei era, while those born on or after that date are considered to be born in the Reiwa era.