Japanese Era (Wareki) Converter
＋More features: exact conversion with month and day, fiscal year, age
Exact conversion with month and day
For years when the era changed (such as January 8, 1989), this gives the correct era, weekday and Japanese fiscal year.
Age on a reference date
Using the date above as a birth date, this calculates the age on any date you choose (for example, the day you joined a company).
Type a Western year and instantly see the Japanese era year — including the kanji (for example 令和8年) you can copy straight onto a form. Japanese paperwork such as city-hall, bank and visa forms often asks for dates in the Japanese calendar (wareki), and this tool converts in both directions.
How to use
- Type a Western year (for example 1980). The Japanese era appears below immediately — no button needed.
- To go the other way, pick an era and a year of that era in the second form.
- For the exact era of a full date, the Japanese fiscal year, or an age calculation, open “＋More features”.
How it is calculated
Each era is counted from its first year: Western year = first year of the era + era year − 1.
| Era | Period (by year) | Quick formula |
|---|---|---|
| Meiji 明治 | 1868–1912 (up to Meiji 45) | Western year = 1867 + Meiji N |
| Taisho 大正 | 1912–1926 (up to Taisho 15) | Western year = 1911 + Taisho N |
| Showa 昭和 | 1926–1989 (up to Showa 64) | Western year = 1925 + Showa N |
| Heisei 平成 | 1989–2019 (up to Heisei 31) | Western year = 1988 + Heisei N |
| Reiwa 令和 | 2019–present | Western year = 2018 + Reiwa N |
Sources (primary information)
- Era Name Law (Act No. 43 of 1979) — official text, in Japanese
https://laws.e-gov.go.jp/law/354AC0000000043 (accessed July 26, 2026) - Cabinet Order on the Change of the Era Name (Cabinet Order No. 143 of 2019, establishing “Reiwa”) — official text, in Japanese
https://laws.e-gov.go.jp/law/431CO0000000143 (accessed July 26, 2026)
Assumptions and notes
- The era-change dates are: Meiji → Taisho on July 30, 1912; Taisho → Showa on December 25, 1926; Showa → Heisei on January 8, 1989; Heisei → Reiwa on May 1, 2019. For a transition year, check the exact date to know which era applies.
- Eras before Meiji (Keio and earlier) are not supported.
Frequently asked questions
When did the Reiwa era start?
On May 1, 2019 (Reiwa 1). Up to April 30, 2019, the year was Heisei 31.
How do I write my birth year on a Japanese form?
Convert your birth year with this tool and copy the kanji. For example, if you were born in 1995, write 平成7年 (Heisei 7). The first year of an era is written 元年 (gannen) instead of 1年.
I was born in a year when the era changed. Which era is mine?
It depends on your exact birth date: before the change date it is the old era, on or after it the new one (for example, January 7, 1989 is Showa 64 and January 8, 1989 is Heisei 1). Use “＋More features” to check with the full date.