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Meiji 5 in the Western calendar
明治五年
=
1872
Year 5 of the Meiji era is 1872 in the Western calendar.
Western year
1872
Kanji form
明治五年
as stamped on coins
Abbreviation
M5
on licenses & forms
Zodiac
壬申 Water Monkey
Era position
Year 5 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 明治五年 — 五 is five, so it reads 5.
Quick conversion rule: Meiji year + 1867 = Western year (Meiji 5 + 1867 = 1872).
Convert another year
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Common questions about Meiji 5
What year is Meiji 5 in the Western calendar?
Meiji 5 (明治5年) is 1872. On Japanese forms it is often shortened to M5, and in kanji it is written 明治五年.
How do I convert a Meiji year to a Western year?
Add 1867. Meiji 5 + 1867 = 1872, and the same rule works for every year in the Meiji era (Oct 23, 1868 – Jul 29, 1912).
How is Meiji 5 written on documents and coins?
It appears as 明治五年 — the number is written with the kanji numeral 五. A full date follows the same order, with the month and day after the year: 明治五年◯月◯日.
What is the zodiac sign for Meiji 5?
1872 is the year of the Water Monkey (壬申) 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 5 is a past year. Japanese documents issued at the time still carry it.