Is it true that in Japan babies are considered one year when they are born?

Question

I have been told that a child is considered one year old when they are born in Japan and would like to know whether is really true or just something that someone started..

Answer 1

true

Answer 2

Yes, It is true that a child born in Japan is considered to be one year old at birth.

Answer 3

Long time ago, yes. Not only in Japan. this style of counting was popular among Asia.

But today, the answer is No.
In 1950, Japan changed the reckoning to western style by law.
It still exists in China and Korea.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/East_Asian_age_reckoning

Answer 4

In Japan, babies are not considered one year old when they are born, but they use the traditional system of age reckoning when they die. In obituaries and Buddhist memorial tablets (ihai), the ages of the dead are written one year older than they actually are.

Answer 5

Jeez, where are all these "yes" people coming from?

Joriental said it nicely. No, not anymore. They count age at birth as 0.

Answer 6

I doin't know about Japan, but I know S. Korea does that.

Answer 7

that's also true in korea. people have like 2 b-days. one on the lunar calendar and on eon the solar calendar.

Answer 8

no, the Japanese don't consider it however I do know the Koreans do and possibly Chinese.

Answer 9

if so that is awesome!!!!...bout time life is recognized for it's true beginning!!!!!

Answer 10

http://www.angelfire.com/mb2/memberofheart/All4You/THANKYOU.mid