Today, in Japan there are two systems of counting the years. The traditional Japanese years are based on the emperor. When a new emperor takes the role, a new era or period begins in Japan:
The current Emperor has reigned since 2019. He called his era “Reiwa.”
So, (2020) is Reiwa 2.
Here is a brief listing of eras in Japanese history- 縄文 Jomon Period: ??? – 300 BC
- 弥生 Yayoi Period: 300 BC– 300 AD
- 古墳 Kofun Period: 300 AD-593
- 飛鳥 Asuka Period: 593 –710
- 奈良 Nara Period: 710 – 794
- 平安 Heian Period: 794 –1185
- 鎌倉 Kamakura Period: 1185– 1333
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The chart below compares Japanese and Western recent years.
Do you know your birthday by the Japanese calendar?
I was born in 1973 so my birth year is showa 48!
WESTERN YEAR | JAPANESE YEAR | 2007 | 平成 heisei 19 | 2006 | 18 | 2005 | 17 | 2004 | 16 | 2003 | 15 | 2002 | 14 | 2001 | 13 | 2000 | 12 | 1999 | 11 | 1998 | 10 | 1997 | 9 | 1996 | 8 | 1995 | 7 | 1994 | 6 | 1993 | 5 | 1992 | 4 | 1991 | 3 | 1990 | 2 | 1989 | 昭和 showa 64 / 平成 heisei 1 | 1988 | 昭和 showa 63 | 1987 | 62 | 1986 | 61 | 1985 | 60 | 1980 | 55 | 1975 | 50 | 1970 | 昭和 showa 45 | 1960 | 昭和 showa 35 | 1950 | 昭和 showa 25 | 1940 | 昭和 showa 15 | 1930 | 昭和 showa 5 | 1920 | 大正 taisho 8 |
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