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Japan to welcome 'Reiwa' era after Emperor Akihito steps down
https://www.dw.com/en/japan-to-welcome-reiwa-era-after-emperor-akihito-steps-down/a-48142022Japan to welcome 'Reiwa' era after Emperor Akihito steps down
Date 01.04.2019
The Japanese government said on Monday that the era associated with Japan's next emperor Naruhito will be "Reiwa."
The era — beginning on May 1 — will mark the end of the "Heisei" era, which began in 1989 and coincides with the reign of current Emperor Akihito.
What's the significance of the change?
The 85-year-old Akihito is set to relinquish the Chrysanthemum throne on April 30, the first such abdication in about 200 years.
The old name "Heisei" means "achieving peace" and refers to the period after the death of Emperor Hirohito, in whose name Japan fought World War II.
The new name Reiwa consists of two "kanji" Chinese characters "Rei," signifying order, and "Wa," meaning harmony or peace.
Era names are important signifiers of cultural periods in Japanese history and are still used in official documents.
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