Born in 2008 (Heisei 20 / 平成20年)
Chinese Zodiac (12-year cycle): Rat — 子 (ね)
Sexagenary cycle (60-year): 戊子
Events & Milestones This Year
- Coming of Age
- N/A
※ Yakudoshi uses 'counting age' (kazoedoshi): current year − birth year + 1
2008 Events
Politics & Economy
- Lehman Shock - September 15, US investment bank goes bankrupt. Triggers global financial crisis
- PM Fukuda resigns - September 1, “I’m different from you” remark
- Aso Taro Cabinet formed - September 24, manga-loving PM becomes topic
Society & Lifestyle
- Akihabara indiscriminate killings - June 8, 7 killed in pedestrian zone
- Blu-ray vs HD DVD war ends - Toshiba announces HD DVD withdrawal
- Iwate-Miyagi Inland Earthquake - June 14, M7.2 major earthquake
- iPhone 3G released in Japan - July 11, from SoftBank
- “Layoff” becomes issue - Year-end “Tent Village for Dispatched Workers”
Sports & Entertainment
- Kitajima Kosuke wins 2 golds at Beijing Olympics - “I have nothing to say” memorable quote
- Softball women’s team wins gold - Ueno Yukiko’s powerful pitching
- Seibu Lions become Japan champions - Won under Manager Watanabe Hisanobu
- “Kiseki” huge hit - GReeeeN’s signature song
- Shuchishin boom - Unit from Hexagon TV show
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