"How long did Heisei last?" "When did Taisho begin?" Here is a complete guide to the five era names used in modern Japan, with dates, durations, and key historical events.
Era Name Timeline (Meiji Onward)
| Era | Start Date | End Date | Duration | Emperor |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Reiwa | May 1, 2019 | Present | Ongoing | Emperor Naruhito |
| Heisei | Jan 8, 1989 | Apr 30, 2019 | 31 years | Emperor Emeritus Akihito |
| Showa | Dec 25, 1926 | Jan 7, 1989 | 64 years | Emperor Showa (Hirohito) |
| Taisho | Jul 30, 1912 | Dec 24, 1926 | 15 years | Emperor Taisho (Yoshihito) |
| Meiji | Jan 25, 1868 | Jul 29, 1912 | 45 years | Emperor Meiji (Mutsuhito) |
Free Tool
Japanese Era Converter
Convert between Western calendar years and Japanese era names (Reiwa, Heisei, Showa). Includes age calculator.
Try it now →Reiwa (2019–Present)
Key Facts
- Period: May 1, 2019 – Present
- Reason for change: Abdication of the Emperor (the first abdication-based era change in Japanese history)
- Origin: Man'yoshu, Japan's oldest poetry anthology ("In this auspicious month of early spring, the air is fresh and the wind is calm")
Major Events
- 2019: New Emperor enthroned; consumption tax raised to 10%
- 2020: COVID-19 global pandemic; Tokyo Olympics postponed
- 2021: Tokyo Olympics and Paralympics held
- 2022: Assassination of former PM Shinzo Abe
- 2024: Noto Peninsula earthquake
Heisei (1989–2019)
Key Facts
- Period: January 8, 1989 – April 30, 2019 (31 years)
- Reason for change: Passing of Emperor Showa
- Origin: Shiji and Shujing (Chinese classics, meaning "peace within and achievement without")
Major Events
- 1989: Consumption tax introduced at 3%; Fall of the Berlin Wall
- 1995: Great Hanshin-Awaji Earthquake; Tokyo subway sarin attack
- 2001: September 11 attacks
- 2011: Great East Japan Earthquake and Fukushima nuclear disaster
- 2019: Emperor abdication (April 30)
Heisei Conversion Formula
Western year = Heisei year + 1988
Example: Heisei 15 = 15 + 1988 = 2003
Showa (1926–1989)
Key Facts
- Period: December 25, 1926 – January 7, 1989 (64 years)
- Reason for change: Passing of Emperor Taisho
- Origin: Shujing (Chinese classic, meaning "the people are enlightened and all nations are in harmony")
Major Events
- 1941: Pacific War begins
- 1945: End of World War II
- 1964: Tokyo Olympics; Tokaido Shinkansen opens
- 1970: Osaka Expo
- 1989: Emperor Showa passes away (January 7)
Showa Conversion Formula
Western year = Showa year + 1925
Example: Showa 50 = 50 + 1925 = 1975
Taisho (1912–1926)
Key Facts
- Period: July 30, 1912 – December 24, 1926 (15 years)
- Reason for change: Passing of Emperor Meiji
- Origin: I Ching (Chinese classic, meaning "great and proper is the way of heaven")
Major Events
- 1914: Japan enters World War I
- 1923: Great Kanto Earthquake
- 1925: Universal Manhood Suffrage Act; radio broadcasting begins
Taisho Conversion Formula
Western year = Taisho year + 1911
Example: Taisho 12 = 12 + 1911 = 1923
Meiji (1868–1912)
Key Facts
- Period: January 25, 1868 – July 29, 1912 (45 years)
- Reason for change: Meiji Restoration (return of imperial rule)
- Origin: I Ching (Chinese classic, meaning "the sage faces south to rule the world, governing toward the light")
Major Events
- 1868: Meiji Restoration
- 1889: Meiji Constitution promulgated
- 1894: First Sino-Japanese War
- 1904: Russo-Japanese War
- 1912: Emperor Meiji passes away
Meiji Conversion Formula
Western year = Meiji year + 1867
Example: Meiji 45 = 45 + 1867 = 1912
Quick Conversion Formula Reference
| Era | Formula | Example |
|---|---|---|
| Reiwa | Reiwa + 2018 | Reiwa 8 = 8 + 2018 = 2026 |
| Heisei | Heisei + 1988 | Heisei 31 = 31 + 1988 = 2019 |
| Showa | Showa + 1925 | Showa 64 = 64 + 1925 = 1989 |
| Taisho | Taisho + 1911 | Taisho 15 = 15 + 1911 = 1926 |
| Meiji | Meiji + 1867 | Meiji 45 = 45 + 1867 = 1912 |
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
When did Japan start using era names?
The first Japanese era name was "Taika," established in 645 CE. Since the Meiji era, the "one era per emperor" system (issei-ichigen) has been in effect. Reiwa is the 248th era name in Japanese history.
When will the next era name be announced?
Under the current Era Name Act, a new era begins upon the passing or abdication of the Emperor. There is no set schedule for the next era change.
Are Showa 64 and Heisei Gannen the same year?
Yes, both are 1989. January 1–7 is Showa 64, and January 8 onward is Heisei Gannen (Heisei 1). Showa 64 lasted only 7 days.
Should I use seireki or wareki in documents?
It depends on the document type. Government forms typically require wareki, while business documents increasingly use seireki. The key rule is to stay consistent within a single document.
Summary
The five modern Japanese eras are each tied to major turning points in the nation's history. When you need to convert between eras and the Western calendar, sakutto's era converter tool gives you instant results.
Free Tool
Japanese Era Converter
Convert between Western calendar years and Japanese era names (Reiwa, Heisei, Showa). Includes age calculator.
Try it now →