In 1873 Japan changed from the Chinese Lunar Calendar to the Western Gregorian calendar during the Meiji Restoration , but kept the Chinese Zodiac.

Meaning a Japanese person born at the beginning of the year (between New Year’s Day of the Gregorian calendar and New Year’s Day of the Chinese Lunar Calendar) will have a different Chinese Zodiac than a Chinese Person.

For example, someone born between January 1st 2025 and January 28th 2025 inclusive would be considered the Year of the Snake in Japan, whereas in the rest of East and Southeast Asia, someone born on those dates would still be the year of the Tiger.

In China and the rest of East and Southeast Asia, the Lunar New Year January 29th 2025 would be the year of the snake.