Born in 1942 (Shōwa 17 / 昭和17年)
Chinese Zodiac (12-year cycle): Horse — 午 (うま)
Sexagenary cycle (60-year): 壬午
Events & Milestones This Year
- Coming of Age
- N/A
※ Yakudoshi uses 'counting age' (kazoedoshi): current year − birth year + 1
1942 Events
Politics & Economy
- Major defeat at Battle of Midway - June, lost 4 main aircraft carriers. Turning point of war
- Battle of Singapore - February 15, Japanese forces occupied Singapore
- Imperial Rule Assistance election - April, IRAA-endorsed candidates won overwhelmingly
Society & Lifestyle
- First mainland air raid - April 18, Doolittle Raid. B-25s bombed Tokyo and others
- Food production campaign - Converting vacant lots to fields, promoting potatoes
- Strengthened school military training - Military drills became mandatory
- Metal collection intensified - Temple bells, bronze statues also collected
- Neighborhood association joint activities - Air defense drills, ration collection, etc.
Sports & Entertainment
- Professional baseball continues as “patriotic baseball” - Attendance declined
- War morale films mainstream - “War at Sea from Hawaii to Malaya” released
- “Use bicycles for errands” - Bicycles recommended due to gasoline shortage
- “We’ll Come Back Victorious” huge hit - Song seeing off departing soldiers
- Entertainment suppressed - Dance halls and others under business restrictions
School Enrollment & Graduation Chart
※ Adjust for gap years, repeating grades, or leave of absence
※ Those born Jan 1 - Apr 1 (early-born) enter school one year earlier