Born in 2004 (Heisei 16 / 平成16年)
Chinese Zodiac (12-year cycle): Monkey — 申 (さる)
Sexagenary cycle (60-year): 甲申
Events & Milestones This Year
- Coming of Age
- N/A
※ Yakudoshi uses 'counting age' (kazoedoshi): current year − birth year + 1
2004 Events
Politics & Economy
- SDF Iraq dispatch - Ground Self-Defense Force deployed from January
- New banknotes issued - November 1, portraits of Noguchi Hideyo and Higuchi Ichiyo
- Pension Reform Law enacted - Premium increases, benefit cuts
Society & Lifestyle
- Niigata Chuetsu Earthquake - October 23, M6.8 major earthquake. 68 deaths
- Sumatra earthquake and tsunami - December 26, catastrophe with about 230,000 deaths
- Avian influenza outbreak - Infection confirmed in Japan
- mixi service launches - Became popular as invitation-only SNS
- Nintendo DS released - December 2, game console with touch panel
Sports & Entertainment
- Athens Olympics - Medal rush in gymnastics, judo, swimming
- Ichiro sets 262-hit record - First to break season hit record in 84 years
- Seibu Lions become Japan champions - Won under Manager Ito Tsutomu
- “Close Your Eyes” huge hit - Hirai Ken’s ballad
- “Hana” huge hit - ORANGE RANGE’s million seller
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