There are in fact three calendars used in Japan. The Gregorian calendar was introduced in 1873 however before this two other systems were, and still are, used:
The Reigns of Emperors
This is a system of numbering years according to the year of reign of the current emperor.
The Lunar Calendar
This originated in China but has been used in Japan for several centuries. The lunar calendar breaks the year into 13 months, but rather than having leap years, an occasional 13th month would even out the discrepancy.
Another feature of the lunar calendar is the association of years with animals such as the mouse, the dragon, the snake or the rabbit.
So 2010 is Heisei 22 and also the year of the Tiger.
When we’re translating official certificates, making sure we have the correct dates is essential. Our translations are done by professional and experienced translators. We then proofread everything twice before providing our clients with a final version to approve.
When we’re translating certificates for things as important as getting married, we want to ensure that our work is perfect.