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Meiji 18 in the Western calendar
明治十八年
=
1885
Year 18 of the Meiji era is 1885 in the Western calendar.
Western year
1885
Kanji form
明治十八年
as stamped on coins
Abbreviation
M18
on licenses & forms
Zodiac
乙酉 Wood Rooster
Era position
Year 18 of 45
Meiji era (Oct 23, 1868 – Jul 29, 1912)
Age today
How to read it
On coins and formal documents the year is written 明治十八年 — 十八 is ten-eight, so it reads 18.
Quick conversion rule: Meiji year + 1867 = Western year (Meiji 18 + 1867 = 1885).
Convert another year
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Nearby years
Common questions about Meiji 18
What year is Meiji 18 in the Western calendar?
Meiji 18 (明治18年) is 1885. On Japanese forms it is often shortened to M18, and in kanji it is written 明治十八年.
How do I convert a Meiji year to a Western year?
Add 1867. Meiji 18 + 1867 = 1885, and the same rule works for every year in the Meiji era (Oct 23, 1868 – Jul 29, 1912).
How is Meiji 18 written on documents and coins?
It appears as 明治十八年 — the number is written with the kanji numeral 十八. A full date follows the same order, with the month and day after the year: 明治十八年◯月◯日.
What is the zodiac sign for Meiji 18?
1885 is the year of the Wood Rooster (乙酉) in the Japanese sexagenary cycle.
Is the Meiji era still used today?
No — the Meiji era covers Oct 23, 1868 – Jul 29, 1912, so Meiji 18 is a past year. Japanese documents issued at the time still carry it.