diff --git a/tools/import-normalizer/dates.py b/tools/import-normalizer/dates.py
index 65449a52..0dc9aff4 100644
--- a/tools/import-normalizer/dates.py
+++ b/tools/import-normalizer/dates.py
@@ -116,17 +116,8 @@ def _match_numeric(s):
         return None
 
 
-_YEAR_ONLY_RE = re.compile(r"\d{4}")
-
-
-def _match_year_only(s):
-    if _YEAR_ONLY_RE.fullmatch(s):
-        return datetime.date(int(s), 1, 1).isoformat(), Precision.YEAR
-    return None
-
-
 # Matchers are tried in order. Later tasks append to this list.
-_MATCHERS = [_match_iso, _match_numeric, _match_year_only]
+_MATCHERS = [_match_iso, _match_numeric]
 
 
 def parse_date(raw: str, date_overrides: dict | None = None) -> ParsedDate:
diff --git a/tools/import-normalizer/tests/test_dates.py b/tools/import-normalizer/tests/test_dates.py
index 5a2a6f5b..8f6af99f 100644
--- a/tools/import-normalizer/tests/test_dates.py
+++ b/tools/import-normalizer/tests/test_dates.py
@@ -60,6 +60,6 @@ def test_parse_approx_marker_upgrades_precision():
     assert r.precision == Precision.UNKNOWN  # no month-name matcher until Task 7; full APPROX check in Task 8
 
 def test_parse_leading_qualifier_is_approx():
-    r = dates.parse_date("nach 1900")  # "after 1900" -> year salvaged, but precision is APPROX not exact
-    assert r.iso == "1900-01-01"
+    r = dates.parse_date("nach 1.5.1900")  # qualifier stripped, numeric date salvaged, precision APPROX
+    assert r.iso == "1900-05-01"
     assert r.precision == Precision.APPROX