Japan’s new imperial era to be called ‘Reiwa’

Naming a new era is one of the biggest practical challenges for Japan, which will be widely used in the calendar, newspapers, documents and official certificates

Times News Service

MUSCAT: Japan’s new imperial era will be known as ‘Reiwa’, a senior official announced on Monday.

The new imperial era will begin on 1 May, when Crown Prince Naruhito becomes an emperor.

The name Reiwa symbolises peace and harmony, according to Japan’s Chief Cabinet Secretary, Yoshihide Suga.

Suga told reporters that the name was chose from among five options put forward by scholars of classical Chinese and Japanese literature.

“The two characters, taken from the eighth-century work Man’yoshu, the oldest existing anthology of Japanese poetry, can be read as “fortunate” or “auspicious”, and “peace” or “harmony,” he added.

Naming a new era is one of the biggest practical challenges for Japan, where it will be widely used in the calendar, newspapers, documents and official certificates, including driving licenses.

In modern Japan, the names of the imperial epochs are named after the Emperor and are usually announced after the ascension of a new emperor.

Japan’s first era name, ‘Taika’ began in the year 645. Reiwa will be the 248th era name used in the country.

The current era, ‘Heisei’, which means ‘peace everywhere’ started in 1989 and will end on 30 April with the abdication of Emperor Akihito. After a reign of 30 years, Akihito’s decision to relinquish the throne came as a result of declining health and advanced age. He is the first emperor to abdicate in around 200 years.