Blood types, zodiac signs tell fortune, personality in Japan

While stationed in Japan or Okinawa, you may have been asked a series of odd questions at some point like “What is your blood type?” or “What is your zodiac?”

While your blood type is extremely important to know for medical purposes, why would someone you just met ask you a question like this? And how can you learn what the Japanese zodiac sign you are?

In Japan, many believe your blood type and animal zodiac tell of your personality and relationship compatibility.

Blood Types

As a Japanese person, I can’t deny that I often find myself stereotyping people based on blood types and animal zodiacs. And I’m not alone.

According to a 2010 study by ISHARE, 74.8% of 567 males and females (aged 20-49) reported believing in the blood type theory of personality. In fact, Japanese TV programs and magazines often discuss the blood types and personalities of politicians and celebrities.

Yoko Funasaka, a housewife in the center of Tokyo, says she often finds herself stereotyping people based on their blood type without realizing it. “If the person seems too nervous, I assume his blood type is A before asking him for it,” Funasaka says. “I get discouraged when I have to work with an AB person,” added her son Masahiro, a grocery shop clerk. “Type AB people change their thoughts very frequently, which often irritates me.”

One of the most accepted theories is that a blood type-A person is a serious and sensitive perfectionist who is also anxious and stereotyped. Type B is cheerful, liberal, eccentric and suspicious, while O is emotional, generous, stubborn and selfish. An AB person is rational and sociable but mysterious and unpredictable.

The theory also suggests blood types A-O, A-AB, O-B, B-AB pair well, while A-B, O-AB are opposite characters and have a relatively hard time getting along. Matching blood types (A-A, B-B, etc.) also don’t pair well.

So, who invented this unique theory?

Originally, ABO blood types were discovered by Austrian scientist Karl Landsteiner in 1901. It wasn’t until the 1970s when Japanese journalist Masahiko Nomi, with no medical background, decided to study and publish books on the four blood types Landsteiner discovered.

Nomi’s books including, “Anthropology by Blood Type” and “Essence of Blood Types” were a success, leading to the rapid acceptance of the blood-type theory in Japan.

The theory became common sense among the Japanese. In fact, some companies and sports teams try to build teams or groups based on it. It goes so far as to influence training and recruitment in professional settings.

Although blood type could be a fun topic for daily conversation, it can also lead to prejudice, harassment and discrimination. Asking about blood types during job interviews has repeatedly been a social issue prompting the government to recommend it be removed from the recruitment process to avoid discrimination.

Scientists, on the other hand, have expressed skepticism about blood types and personalities. Dr. Kengo Nawada of Kyushu University said that there is no evidence to support the theory after researching 10,000 people in 2014.

Funasaka said that, for her, scientific facts don’t matter; instead, she views them as a way to read others.

“Japan is a kind of homogenous society, and the theory provides a simple framework to divide us into easily recognizable groups,” Funasaka added.

Now, if you’re ever asked about your blood type by a local, you know why. And if you’re worried your B-blood type will mean you might be rejected by an A-blood type, don’t be. I am an A-type male married to a B-type wife, and we have been together for the last 33 years. So, does our relationship disprove the theory, or are we just an exception to the rule?

Eto Animal Zodiac symbols

Every year during shogatsu, or New Year holidays, besides the traditional food and greetings, discussion will often go to the eto, or zodiac symbol, of the coming year.

If you’ve ever received a nengajo New Year’s greeting postcard, you may have seen a drawing or stamp with the corresponding animal mascot for the year’s corresponding zodiac.

The oriental zodiac originated in China and today you’ll find variations in Japan and other Asian countries. Unlike the zodiac signs and horoscopes you see in Western newspapers and magazines, the Chinese Zodiac and other versions are a bit different.

While the Western horoscope uses 12 constellations for each month of the year, the zodiac astrology uses 12 animals that correspond to every year and reset after a 12-year cycle. The 12 zodiac animals are ne (rat), ushi (ox), tora (tiger), u (rabbit), tatsu (dragon), mi (snake), uma (horse), hitsuji (sheep), saru (monkey), tori (roaster), inu (dog) and i (boar).

Yearly, personal personality

The zodiac animal symbols are used for insight into what the year will be like, as well as a person’s personality. Japanese people use it to determine compatibility with friends and even romantic matches.

The zodiac symbol of 2026 will be the horse. The Year of the Horse is considered a year when energy and drive are heightened. Thus, proactive challenges and quick decisions during the year can attract success, according to the “Wisdom of the Way of Yin and Yang.”

Similar to how the Western horoscope relies on houses, sun and moon positions, the Oriental zodiac relies on other factors in addition to the symbol for a more detailed assessment. The five elements of gogyo, which are earth, air, water, wood, and fire, and the attributions and differences of yin and yang, all play into what to expect for the coming year and into a person’s personality.

I was born in 1962 and my zodiac is a “Mizunoe Tora” (water tiger – positive). According to the zodiac definitions, a water tiger is considered to have an active, powerful and liberal personality. I, however, am not sure this is a correct assessment!

Kanreki and turning 60

In Japan, at the age of 60, one reaches their “kanreki,” or full cycle of the zodiac. To many of us, this was one of the most important of life’s milestones and used to be a synonym for retirement.

About 50 years ago, I remember dozens of relatives gathered to celebrate my grandfather’s kanreki. He wore a traditional “chanchanko” gown, which is a sleeveless red jacket that looks more like a baby’s jacket than that for a grown person. This gown symbolizes the return to infancy. The festivities were impressive with many great dishes and presents wrapped in white and red paper decorated with crane and turtle illustrations, symbols of longevity.

Today, however, as the life expectancy of Japanese people continues to increase and their presence in the workforce extends beyond age 60, large-sized kanreki celebrations are becoming a rarity.

Today, the zodiac may be considered a little old-fashioned, but most Japanese people still know their signs and follow them.

Blood types & characteristics

A: Serious, meticulous, careful and sensitive perfectionist, but sometimes too anxious, pessimistic and stereotyped. They try to restrain desires and emotions and obey orders, rules and customs. They avoid extremity and don’t make a racket.

O: Emotional, vital and generous, but sometimes too stubborn, bossy and selfish. While they love friends and family, they are extremely wary of strangers.

B: Cheerful, innovative, flexible and liberal, but sometimes too careless, eccentric and suspicious. They never lose their own pace in life. They don’t care about criticism from others.

AB: Rational, kind and sociable, but sometimes too mysterious and unpredictable. They have the coexistence of two different characters, stable emotions and capricious feelings. They don’t want to become too intimate with a person.

Personal matching & blood types

Best Matching: A-O, A-AB, O-B, B-AB

Relatively hard to match: A-B, O-AB (opposite characters), A-A, B-B, O-O, AB-AB (same characters)

– Source: Essence of Blood Types by Masahiko Nomi

Famous Blood

A: Britney Spears, George H.W. Bush

O: Beyoncé, Elvis Presley

B: Leonardo DiCaprio, Jack Nicholson

AB: Marilyn Monroe, Barack Obama

– Source: whatsmyblodtype.org & answers.com

Check out your zodiac

Check out the zodiac below and see if what it says about you is accurate.

Note: The zodiac sign is assigned according to lunar calendar, and those who are born in January or early February before Setsubun (the last day of winter) are considered to have the zodiac of the previous year. The Setsubun is usually Feb. 2, 3 or 4 in the solar calendar. The Setsubun of 2025 was Feb. 2, and that of 2026 will be Feb. 3.

Check out your zodiac – 12 zodiacs in recent year

Ne (Rat): Born in 2020, 2008, 1996, 1984, 1972, 1960, 1948, 1936 “Humorous and intuitional.”

Ushi (Ox): Born in 2021, 2009, 1997, 1985, 1973, 1961, 1949, 1937 “Patient and hardworking.”

Tora (Tiger): Born in 2022, 2010, 1998, 1986, 1974, 1962, 1950, 1938 “Courageous and adventurous.”

U (Rabbit): Born in 2023, 2011, 1999, 1987, 1975, 1963, 1951, 1939 “Cautious and refined.”

Tatsu (Dragon): Born in 2024, 2012, 2000, 1988, 1976, 1964, 1952, 1940 “Romantic and perfectionistic.”

Mi (Snake): Born in 2025, 2013, 2001, 1989, 1977, 1965, 1953, 1941 “Intelligent and charming.”

Uma (Horse): Born in 2026, 2014, 2002, 1990, 1978, 1966, 1954, 1942 “Active and cheerful.”

Hitsuji (Sheep): Born in 2027, 2015, 2003, 1991, 1979, 1967, 1955, 1943 “Pacifistic and dreamy.”

Saru (Monkey): Born in 2028, 2016, 2004, 1992, 1980, 1968, 1956, 1944 “Clever and eloquent.”

Tori (Rooster): Born in 2029, 2017, 2005, 1993, 1981, 1969, 1957, 1945 “Methodical and proud.”

Inu (Dog): Born in 2030, 2018, 2006. 1994, 1982, 1970, 1958, 1946 “Honest and loyal.”

I (Boar): Born in 2031, 2019, 2007, 1995, 1983, 1971, 1959, 1947 “Earnest and perseverant.”

– Source: Wisdom of the Way of Yin and Yang (Kawade Shobo, 2010) and Nihon Senpo Daizenshu (Dictionary of Japanese Divinations), edited by Hiromi Shimada (Shikisha, 2006)