End of an era
The abdication of Japan's Emperor Akihito on April 30 will quite literally mark the end of an era, the Heisei era of his rule, and highly secretive talks have been going on for months on what to call the next one.
This is anything but a procedural issue, as the name of the era has a tangible effect on the daily lives of the Japanese as well as a psychological impact on the nation.
This is anything but a procedural issue, as the name of the era has a tangible effect on the daily lives of the Japanese as well as a psychological impact on the nation.
Chinese-style imperial calendars
Japan is the only country in the world still using Chinese-style imperial calendars. It might be 2019 in much of the world, but in Japan it is Heisei 31, or the 31st year of Akihito's reign.
While the Gregorian calendar is also widely used in Japan, imperial dates feature on government documents, newspapers, and commercial calendars.
"It is easier to imagine what the time was like if you have eras," said Kunio Kowaguchi, president of major calendar maker Todan.
While the Gregorian calendar is also widely used in Japan, imperial dates feature on government documents, newspapers, and commercial calendars.
"It is easier to imagine what the time was like if you have eras," said Kunio Kowaguchi, president of major calendar maker Todan.
With 250 eras
The upcoming end of the Heisei period was even reportedly a factor in the government's decision to implement death sentences last year against 13 members of the Aum cult behind a 1995 sarin attack.
Government officials apparently wanted to a draw a line under the cult's attacks before the Heisei era ends. All 13 executions were carried out in July.
Japan has had nearly 250 eras since adopting the system in the 7th century.
Government officials apparently wanted to a draw a line under the cult's attacks before the Heisei era ends. All 13 executions were carried out in July.
Japan has had nearly 250 eras since adopting the system in the 7th century.
A tale of eras
In the past, emperors would switch era names mid-reign to mark a fresh start after natural disasters or crises.
But more recently, an era has run the entire length of a monarch's rule.
Crown Prince Naruhito ascends the Chrysanthemum Throne on May 1. His era name will be announced at 11:30am on Monday -- a month ahead of the ceremony.
And speculation over what the name might be has been rife.
But more recently, an era has run the entire length of a monarch's rule.
Crown Prince Naruhito ascends the Chrysanthemum Throne on May 1. His era name will be announced at 11:30am on Monday -- a month ahead of the ceremony.
And speculation over what the name might be has been rife.
Real challenge
A new era is a real challenge for companies, which produces 10 million calendars a year, many featuring both Western and imperial dates.
Printing begins a year before release, so it was too late for his 2019 run to feature the new name.
The new imperial era will be the first since the IT revolution, and the tech sector is girding for the transition.
It has inspired comparisons to the "Y2K" bug ahead of the year 2000, when experts worried about a tech apocalypse fearing that computers would not understand the new date.
Printing begins a year before release, so it was too late for his 2019 run to feature the new name.
The new imperial era will be the first since the IT revolution, and the tech sector is girding for the transition.
It has inspired comparisons to the "Y2K" bug ahead of the year 2000, when experts worried about a tech apocalypse fearing that computers would not understand the new date.
main inputs from The Economic times:- text used here for educational purposes only.
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