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Meiji 45 in the Western calendar
明治四十五年
=
1912
Year 45 of the Meiji era is 1912 in the Western calendar.
Western year
1912
Kanji form
明治四十五年
as stamped on coins
Abbreviation
M45
on licenses & forms
Zodiac
壬子 Water Rat
Era position
Year 45 of 45
Meiji era (Oct 23, 1868 – Jul 29, 1912)
Age today
Era-change year
Meiji 45 covered only January 1 – July 29, 1912. From July 30, 1912 the same calendar year became Taishō 1.
How to read it
On coins and formal documents the year is written 明治四十五年 — 四十五 is four-ten-five, so it reads 45.
Quick conversion rule: Meiji year + 1867 = Western year (Meiji 45 + 1867 = 1912).
Convert another year
Any year from Meiji 1 (1868) onward. Everything runs in your browser.
Same Western year, different era
1912 is split between two eras because the era changed mid-year: Taishō 1. Documents dated 1912 can therefore carry either name — check the month before converting.
Nearby years
Common questions about Meiji 45
What year is Meiji 45 in the Western calendar?
Meiji 45 (明治45年) is 1912. On Japanese forms it is often shortened to M45, and in kanji it is written 明治四十五年.
How do I convert a Meiji year to a Western year?
Add 1867. Meiji 45 + 1867 = 1912, and the same rule works for every year in the Meiji era (Oct 23, 1868 – Jul 29, 1912).
How is Meiji 45 written on documents and coins?
It appears as 明治四十五年 — the number is written with the kanji numeral 四十五. A full date follows the same order, with the month and day after the year: 明治四十五年◯月◯日.
What is the zodiac sign for Meiji 45?
1912 is the year of the Water Rat (壬子) 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 45 is a past year. Japanese documents issued at the time still carry it.