How does the Japanese school year work?

It starts in April, and a school year is everyone born from 2 April to 1 April of the next year. Children start elementary school in the April after they turn six, so those born between 1 January and 1 April (hayaumare, early-born) start a year earlier than others born in the same calendar year.

Why is 1 April counted as early-born?

Because under Japanese law a person gets a year older at the end of the day before their birthday. Someone born on 1 April turns six on 31 March and starts school that April; someone born on 2 April turns six on 1 April and starts the next year.

What does a rirekisho need?

The education section usually starts from junior high school graduation, with each entry and graduation on its own line: April for entry, March for graduation. Use one calendar throughout the form, Western or Japanese era, including the date of birth — the Show option switches the output to one of them.

What about the years the era changed?

Each month is given in the era it belonged to: March 2019 is Heisei 31, and April 2019 is still Heisei 31 because Reiwa began on 1 May. April 1989 is Heisei 1.

Does it cover skipped grades, schools abroad or leave?

No. It follows the standard Japanese path (six years of elementary school, three of junior high, three of high school, four of university) and only lets you add gap or repeated years from university on; adjust the rest by hand. The date of birth is worked out in this page and not sent anywhere.

Japanese school entry and graduation years

From a date of birth to every school's April entry and March graduation, in Western and era years.

Input0 characters

ShowGap or repeated years (moves university and after)

Output

Japanese school years by date of birth (entry in April, graduation in March; enter a date of birth above for every school)

2025 school year: born 2 April 2025 to 1 April 2026
elementary 2032 (R14) · junior high 2038 (R20) · high school 2041 (R23) · university 2044 (R26) to 2048 (R30)

2024 school year: born 2 April 2024 to 1 April 2025
elementary 2031 (R13) · junior high 2037 (R19) · high school 2040 (R22) · university 2043 (R25) to 2047 (R29)

2023 school year: born 2 April 2023 to 1 April 2024
elementary 2030 (R12) · junior high 2036 (R18) · high school 2039 (R21) · university 2042 (R24) to 2046 (R28)

2022 school year: born 2 April 2022 to 1 April 2023
elementary 2029 (R11) · junior high 2035 (R17) · high school 2038 (R20) · university 2041 (R23) to 2045 (R27)

2021 school year: born 2 April 2021 to 1 April 2022
elementary 2028 (R10) · junior high 2034 (R16) · high school 2037 (R19) · university 2040 (R22) to 2044 (R26)

2020 school year: born 2 April 2020 to 1 April 2021
elementary 2027 (R9) · junior high 2033 (R15) · high school 2036 (R18) · university 2039 (R21) to 2043 (R25)

2019 school year: born 2 April 2019 to 1 April 2020
elementary 2026 (R8) · junior high 2032 (R14) · high school 2035 (R17) · university 2038 (R20) to 2042 (R24)

2018 school year: born 2 April 2018 to 1 April 2019
elementary 2025 (R7) · junior high 2031 (R13) · high school 2034 (R16) · university 2037 (R19) to 2041 (R23)

2017 school year: born 2 April 2017 to 1 April 2018
elementary 2024 (R6) · junior high 2030 (R12) · high school 2033 (R15) · university 2036 (R18) to 2040 (R22)

2016 school year: born 2 April 2016 to 1 April 2017
elementary 2023 (R5) · junior high 2029 (R11) · high school 2032 (R14) · university 2035 (R17) to 2039 (R21)

2015 school year: born 2 April 2015 to 1 April 2016
elementary 2022 (R4) · junior high 2028 (R10) · high school 2031 (R13) · university 2034 (R16) to 2038 (R20)

2014 school year: born 2 April 2014 to 1 April 2015
elementary 2021 (R3) · junior high 2027 (R9) · high school 2030 (R12) · university 2033 (R15) to 2037 (R19)

2013 school year: born 2 April 2013 to 1 April 2014
elementary 2020 (R2) · junior high 2026 (R8) · high school 2029 (R11) · university 2032 (R14) to 2036 (R18)

2012 school year: born 2 April 2012 to 1 April 2013
elementary 2019 (H31) · junior high 2025 (R7) · high school 2028 (R10) · university 2031 (R13) to 2035 (R17)

2011 school year: born 2 April 2011 to 1 April 2012
elementary 2018 (H30) · junior high 2024 (R6) · high school 2027 (R9) · university 2030 (R12) to 2034 (R16)

2010 school year: born 2 April 2010 to 1 April 2011
elementary 2017 (H29) · junior high 2023 (R5) · high school 2026 (R8) · university 2029 (R11) to 2033 (R15)

2009 school year: born 2 April 2009 to 1 April 2010
elementary 2016 (H28) · junior high 2022 (R4) · high school 2025 (R7) · university 2028 (R10) to 2032 (R14)

2008 school year: born 2 April 2008 to 1 April 2009
elementary 2015 (H27) · junior high 2021 (R3) · high school 2024 (R6) · university 2027 (R9) to 2031 (R13)

2007 school year: born 2 April 2007 to 1 April 2008
elementary 2014 (H26) · junior high 2020 (R2) · high school 2023 (R5) · university 2026 (R8) to 2030 (R12)

2006 school year: born 2 April 2006 to 1 April 2007
elementary 2013 (H25) · junior high 2019 (H31) · high school 2022 (R4) · university 2025 (R7) to 2029 (R11)

2005 school year: born 2 April 2005 to 1 April 2006
elementary 2012 (H24) · junior high 2018 (H30) · high school 2021 (R3) · university 2024 (R6) to 2028 (R10)

2004 school year: born 2 April 2004 to 1 April 2005
elementary 2011 (H23) · junior high 2017 (H29) · high school 2020 (R2) · university 2023 (R5) to 2027 (R9)

2003 school year: born 2 April 2003 to 1 April 2004
elementary 2010 (H22) · junior high 2016 (H28) · high school 2019 (H31) · university 2022 (R4) to 2026 (R8)

2002 school year: born 2 April 2002 to 1 April 2003
elementary 2009 (H21) · junior high 2015 (H27) · high school 2018 (H30) · university 2021 (R3) to 2025 (R7)

2001 school year: born 2 April 2001 to 1 April 2002
elementary 2008 (H20) · junior high 2014 (H26) · high school 2017 (H29) · university 2020 (R2) to 2024 (R6)

2000 school year: born 2 April 2000 to 1 April 2001
elementary 2007 (H19) · junior high 2013 (H25) · high school 2016 (H28) · university 2019 (H31) to 2023 (R5)

1999 school year: born 2 April 1999 to 1 April 2000
elementary 2006 (H18) · junior high 2012 (H24) · high school 2015 (H27) · university 2018 (H30) to 2022 (R4)

1998 school year: born 2 April 1998 to 1 April 1999
elementary 2005 (H17) · junior high 2011 (H23) · high school 2014 (H26) · university 2017 (H29) to 2021 (R3)

1997 school year: born 2 April 1997 to 1 April 1998
elementary 2004 (H16) · junior high 2010 (H22) · high school 2013 (H25) · university 2016 (H28) to 2020 (R2)

1996 school year: born 2 April 1996 to 1 April 1997
elementary 2003 (H15) · junior high 2009 (H21) · high school 2012 (H24) · university 2015 (H27) to 2019 (H31)

1995 school year: born 2 April 1995 to 1 April 1996
elementary 2002 (H14) · junior high 2008 (H20) · high school 2011 (H23) · university 2014 (H26) to 2018 (H30)

1994 school year: born 2 April 1994 to 1 April 1995
elementary 2001 (H13) · junior high 2007 (H19) · high school 2010 (H22) · university 2013 (H25) to 2017 (H29)

1993 school year: born 2 April 1993 to 1 April 1994
elementary 2000 (H12) · junior high 2006 (H18) · high school 2009 (H21) · university 2012 (H24) to 2016 (H28)

1992 school year: born 2 April 1992 to 1 April 1993
elementary 1999 (H11) · junior high 2005 (H17) · high school 2008 (H20) · university 2011 (H23) to 2015 (H27)

1991 school year: born 2 April 1991 to 1 April 1992
elementary 1998 (H10) · junior high 2004 (H16) · high school 2007 (H19) · university 2010 (H22) to 2014 (H26)

1990 school year: born 2 April 1990 to 1 April 1991
elementary 1997 (H9) · junior high 2003 (H15) · high school 2006 (H18) · university 2009 (H21) to 2013 (H25)

1989 school year: born 2 April 1989 to 1 April 1990
elementary 1996 (H8) · junior high 2002 (H14) · high school 2005 (H17) · university 2008 (H20) to 2012 (H24)

1988 school year: born 2 April 1988 to 1 April 1989
elementary 1995 (H7) · junior high 2001 (H13) · high school 2004 (H16) · university 2007 (H19) to 2011 (H23)

1987 school year: born 2 April 1987 to 1 April 1988
elementary 1994 (H6) · junior high 2000 (H12) · high school 2003 (H15) · university 2006 (H18) to 2010 (H22)

1986 school year: born 2 April 1986 to 1 April 1987
elementary 1993 (H5) · junior high 1999 (H11) · high school 2002 (H14) · university 2005 (H17) to 2009 (H21)

1985 school year: born 2 April 1985 to 1 April 1986
elementary 1992 (H4) · junior high 1998 (H10) · high school 2001 (H13) · university 2004 (H16) to 2008 (H20)

1984 school year: born 2 April 1984 to 1 April 1985
elementary 1991 (H3) · junior high 1997 (H9) · high school 2000 (H12) · university 2003 (H15) to 2007 (H19)

1983 school year: born 2 April 1983 to 1 April 1984
elementary 1990 (H2) · junior high 1996 (H8) · high school 1999 (H11) · university 2002 (H14) to 2006 (H18)

1982 school year: born 2 April 1982 to 1 April 1983
elementary 1989 (H1) · junior high 1995 (H7) · high school 1998 (H10) · university 2001 (H13) to 2005 (H17)

1981 school year: born 2 April 1981 to 1 April 1982
elementary 1988 (S63) · junior high 1994 (H6) · high school 1997 (H9) · university 2000 (H12) to 2004 (H16)

1980 school year: born 2 April 1980 to 1 April 1981
elementary 1987 (S62) · junior high 1993 (H5) · high school 1996 (H8) · university 1999 (H11) to 2003 (H15)

1979 school year: born 2 April 1979 to 1 April 1980
elementary 1986 (S61) · junior high 1992 (H4) · high school 1995 (H7) · university 1998 (H10) to 2002 (H14)

1978 school year: born 2 April 1978 to 1 April 1979
elementary 1985 (S60) · junior high 1991 (H3) · high school 1994 (H6) · university 1997 (H9) to 2001 (H13)

1977 school year: born 2 April 1977 to 1 April 1978
elementary 1984 (S59) · junior high 1990 (H2) · high school 1993 (H5) · university 1996 (H8) to 2000 (H12)

1976 school year: born 2 April 1976 to 1 April 1977
elementary 1983 (S58) · junior high 1989 (H1) · high school 1992 (H4) · university 1995 (H7) to 1999 (H11)

1975 school year: born 2 April 1975 to 1 April 1976
elementary 1982 (S57) · junior high 1988 (S63) · high school 1991 (H3) · university 1994 (H6) to 1998 (H10)

1974 school year: born 2 April 1974 to 1 April 1975
elementary 1981 (S56) · junior high 1987 (S62) · high school 1990 (H2) · university 1993 (H5) to 1997 (H9)

1973 school year: born 2 April 1973 to 1 April 1974
elementary 1980 (S55) · junior high 1986 (S61) · high school 1989 (H1) · university 1992 (H4) to 1996 (H8)

1972 school year: born 2 April 1972 to 1 April 1973
elementary 1979 (S54) · junior high 1985 (S60) · high school 1988 (S63) · university 1991 (H3) to 1995 (H7)

1971 school year: born 2 April 1971 to 1 April 1972
elementary 1978 (S53) · junior high 1984 (S59) · high school 1987 (S62) · university 1990 (H2) to 1994 (H6)

1970 school year: born 2 April 1970 to 1 April 1971
elementary 1977 (S52) · junior high 1983 (S58) · high school 1986 (S61) · university 1989 (H1) to 1993 (H5)

1969 school year: born 2 April 1969 to 1 April 1970
elementary 1976 (S51) · junior high 1982 (S57) · high school 1985 (S60) · university 1988 (S63) to 1992 (H4)

1968 school year: born 2 April 1968 to 1 April 1969
elementary 1975 (S50) · junior high 1981 (S56) · high school 1984 (S59) · university 1987 (S62) to 1991 (H3)

1967 school year: born 2 April 1967 to 1 April 1968
elementary 1974 (S49) · junior high 1980 (S55) · high school 1983 (S58) · university 1986 (S61) to 1990 (H2)

1966 school year: born 2 April 1966 to 1 April 1967
elementary 1973 (S48) · junior high 1979 (S54) · high school 1982 (S57) · university 1985 (S60) to 1989 (H1)

1965 school year: born 2 April 1965 to 1 April 1966
elementary 1972 (S47) · junior high 1978 (S53) · high school 1981 (S56) · university 1984 (S59) to 1988 (S63)

1964 school year: born 2 April 1964 to 1 April 1965
elementary 1971 (S46) · junior high 1977 (S52) · high school 1980 (S55) · university 1983 (S58) to 1987 (S62)

1963 school year: born 2 April 1963 to 1 April 1964
elementary 1970 (S45) · junior high 1976 (S51) · high school 1979 (S54) · university 1982 (S57) to 1986 (S61)

1962 school year: born 2 April 1962 to 1 April 1963
elementary 1969 (S44) · junior high 1975 (S50) · high school 1978 (S53) · university 1981 (S56) to 1985 (S60)

1961 school year: born 2 April 1961 to 1 April 1962
elementary 1968 (S43) · junior high 1974 (S49) · high school 1977 (S52) · university 1980 (S55) to 1984 (S59)

1960 school year: born 2 April 1960 to 1 April 1961
elementary 1967 (S42) · junior high 1973 (S48) · high school 1976 (S51) · university 1979 (S54) to 1983 (S58)

1959 school year: born 2 April 1959 to 1 April 1960
elementary 1966 (S41) · junior high 1972 (S47) · high school 1975 (S50) · university 1978 (S53) to 1982 (S57)

1958 school year: born 2 April 1958 to 1 April 1959
elementary 1965 (S40) · junior high 1971 (S46) · high school 1974 (S49) · university 1977 (S52) to 1981 (S56)

1957 school year: born 2 April 1957 to 1 April 1958
elementary 1964 (S39) · junior high 1970 (S45) · high school 1973 (S48) · university 1976 (S51) to 1980 (S55)

1956 school year: born 2 April 1956 to 1 April 1957
elementary 1963 (S38) · junior high 1969 (S44) · high school 1972 (S47) · university 1975 (S50) to 1979 (S54)

1955 school year: born 2 April 1955 to 1 April 1956
elementary 1962 (S37) · junior high 1968 (S43) · high school 1971 (S46) · university 1974 (S49) to 1978 (S53)

1954 school year: born 2 April 1954 to 1 April 1955
elementary 1961 (S36) · junior high 1967 (S42) · high school 1970 (S45) · university 1973 (S48) to 1977 (S52)

1953 school year: born 2 April 1953 to 1 April 1954
elementary 1960 (S35) · junior high 1966 (S41) · high school 1969 (S44) · university 1972 (S47) to 1976 (S51)

1952 school year: born 2 April 1952 to 1 April 1953
elementary 1959 (S34) · junior high 1965 (S40) · high school 1968 (S43) · university 1971 (S46) to 1975 (S50)

1951 school year: born 2 April 1951 to 1 April 1952
elementary 1958 (S33) · junior high 1964 (S39) · high school 1967 (S42) · university 1970 (S45) to 1974 (S49)

1950 school year: born 2 April 1950 to 1 April 1951
elementary 1957 (S32) · junior high 1963 (S38) · high school 1966 (S41) · university 1969 (S44) to 1973 (S48)

Your files stay on your device

This tool runs entirely in your browser. What you paste is processed on your device and is never sent to a server, so it is safe to use with tokens, keys and unpublished text.

How it works

Type a date of birth: 1990/4/1, 平成2年4月1日 and H2.4.1 are all read. Several people can go on separate lines.
The entry and graduation month of kindergarten, elementary, junior high and high school, university, junior college or vocational school and a master's course appear, in Western and era years.
If there was a gap year before university or a repeated year, enter how many; university and what follows move on. Switch Show to one calendar to match the rest of the form.
With nothing typed, the page shows the chart by school year.

Frequently asked questions

How does the Japanese school year work?: It starts in April, and a school year is everyone born from 2 April to 1 April of the next year. Children start elementary school in the April after they turn six, so those born between 1 January and 1 April (hayaumare, early-born) start a year earlier than others born in the same calendar year.
Why is 1 April counted as early-born?: Because under Japanese law a person gets a year older at the end of the day before their birthday. Someone born on 1 April turns six on 31 March and starts school that April; someone born on 2 April turns six on 1 April and starts the next year.
What does a rirekisho need?: The education section usually starts from junior high school graduation, with each entry and graduation on its own line: April for entry, March for graduation. Use one calendar throughout the form, Western or Japanese era, including the date of birth — the Show option switches the output to one of them.
What about the years the era changed?: Each month is given in the era it belonged to: March 2019 is Heisei 31, and April 2019 is still Heisei 31 because Reiwa began on 1 May. April 1989 is Heisei 1.
Does it cover skipped grades, schools abroad or leave?: No. It follows the standard Japanese path (six years of elementary school, three of junior high, three of high school, four of university) and only lets you add gap or repeated years from university on; adjust the rest by hand. The date of birth is worked out in this page and not sent anywhere.

Your files stay on your device

How it works

Frequently asked questions

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