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Meiji 22 in the Western calendar
明治二十二年
=
1889
Year 22 of the Meiji era is 1889 in the Western calendar.
Western year
1889
Kanji form
明治二十二年
as stamped on coins
Abbreviation
M22
on licenses & forms
Zodiac
己丑 Earth Ox
Era position
Year 22 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 明治二十二年 — 二十二 is two-ten-two, so it reads 22.
Quick conversion rule: Meiji year + 1867 = Western year (Meiji 22 + 1867 = 1889).
Convert another year
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Common questions about Meiji 22
What year is Meiji 22 in the Western calendar?
Meiji 22 (明治22年) is 1889. On Japanese forms it is often shortened to M22, and in kanji it is written 明治二十二年.
How do I convert a Meiji year to a Western year?
Add 1867. Meiji 22 + 1867 = 1889, and the same rule works for every year in the Meiji era (Oct 23, 1868 – Jul 29, 1912).
How is Meiji 22 written on documents and coins?
It appears as 明治二十二年 — the number is written with the kanji numeral 二十二. A full date follows the same order, with the month and day after the year: 明治二十二年◯月◯日.
What is the zodiac sign for Meiji 22?
1889 is the year of the Earth Ox (己丑) 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 22 is a past year. Japanese documents issued at the time still carry it.