Born in 2002 (Heisei 14 / 平成14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
2002 Events
Politics & Economy
- Japan-North Korea Summit - September 17, PM Koizumi visits Pyongyang. 5 abductees return
- Basic Resident Registration Network starts - August 5, concerns over personal information
- Tama-chan boom - Seal appeared in Tama River, became sensation
Society & Lifestyle
- Complete 5-day school week begins - Saturday off starting April
- “Yutori” education implemented - Learning content reduced by 30%
- Tanaka Koichi wins Nobel Prize in Chemistry - Shimadzu Corporation engineer awarded
- Koshiba Masatoshi wins Nobel Prize in Physics - For neutrino observation
- Series of food labeling scandals - Beef mislabeling by Snow Brand Foods, Nippon Ham, etc.
Sports & Entertainment
- FIFA World Cup Korea/Japan - Japan reaches Round of 16. Beckham popularity
- Giants become Japan champions - Won under Manager Hara Tatsunori
- Matsui Hideki announces MLB transfer - To Yankees
- “Big Grandfather’s Clock” huge hit - Hirai Ken’s cover became breakout hit
- EXILE formed - Started activities as dance vocal group
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