1989 in the Japanese calendar: Shōwa 64 and Heisei 1
平成元年
Shōwa 64 until 7 January 1989, then Heisei 1 · written S64 or H1 on forms
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1989 belongs to two eras
Until 7 January 1989 it was 昭和64年 (Shōwa 64). From 8 January 1989 it became 平成元年 (Heisei 1). A document dated in this year must use the era that was current on that day — and the first year of a new era is written 元年, gannen, never 1年.
Shōwa 64 lasted exactly seven days, from 1 to 7 January 1989 — as short as Shōwa 1 had been, and a year that appears on a surprising number of coins, because the mint kept striking them until the Heisei dies were ready.
1989 in the Chinese zodiac
1989 is the year of the Earth Snake (己巳). The zodiac year began on 6 February 1989.
Other years
Every year of the Heisei era → · How the Japanese calendar works, and every year 1868–2050