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Japan reveals name of new imperial era will be 'Reiwa' Japan reveals name of new imperial era will be 'Reiwa'
(about 2 hours later)
Japan has announced that the name of its new imperial era, set to begin on 1 May, will be "Reiwa" - signifying order and harmony.Japan has announced that the name of its new imperial era, set to begin on 1 May, will be "Reiwa" - signifying order and harmony.
The country's current era, Heisei, will end in a month with Emperor Akihito's historic abdication.The country's current era, Heisei, will end in a month with Emperor Akihito's historic abdication.
Chief Cabinet Secretary Yoshihide Suga announced the highly-anticipated name by holding up a board with the characters handwritten on it.Chief Cabinet Secretary Yoshihide Suga announced the highly-anticipated name by holding up a board with the characters handwritten on it.
Prime Minister Shinzo Abe has addressed the nation to explain its meaning.Prime Minister Shinzo Abe has addressed the nation to explain its meaning.
The new name is made up of the two characters for "order" or "command", and "peace" or "harmony". Each Japanese emperor's reign, or "gengo", is given a name which is then used alongside the Western calendar to mark the years.
Each Japanese emperor's reign, or "gengo", is given a name which is used alongside the Western calendar to mark time. What does Reiwa mean?
The era's name aims to set the tone for the upcoming decades, and remains significant to most Japanese in their daily life. The term for the new era is made up of the two characters Rei and Wa meaning "order" or "command", and "peace" or "harmony".
It is for the first time taken from an old anthology of Japanese poems, the Manyoshu, instead of a Chinese one, Mr Abe said.
He explained the Manyoshu symbolised Japan's "profound public culture and long tradition".
"Our nation is facing up to a big turning point, but there are lots of Japanese values that shouldn't fade away," Mr Abe told reporters.
There have been only four eras in Japan's modern history: Emperor Akihito's current Heisei era which means "achieving peace" was preceded by the Showa era (1926-1989) which can be translated as "enlightened harmony".
Before that, the Taisho era (1912-1926) meant "great righteousness" while the Meiji gengo (1868-1912) meant "enlightened rule" in English.
How significant is an imperial era?
Each gengo's name aims to set the tone for the upcoming decades, and remains significant to most Japanese in their daily life.
It appears on coins, newspapers, driving licences and official paperwork.It appears on coins, newspapers, driving licences and official paperwork.
Monday's unveiling of the era name follows weeks of speculation and top-secret cabinet discussions and the winning term was eventually chosen by cabinet from a selection drawn up by a panel of scholars and experts.
Although still widely used, the gengo calendar is declining in popularity as Japan opens up to global influence.
Since both calendars use Western months, many people simply use them alongside each other.
Why will the current emperor abdicate?
Japan's government confirmed in December 2017 that the current emperor, 85-year old Akihito, would abdicate in April 2019 due to old age and hand the throne to his son, Crown Prince Naruhito.Japan's government confirmed in December 2017 that the current emperor, 85-year old Akihito, would abdicate in April 2019 due to old age and hand the throne to his son, Crown Prince Naruhito.
He will be the first Japanese emperor to do so in more than two centuries.He will be the first Japanese emperor to do so in more than two centuries.
The unveiling of the era name follows weeks of fevered speculation and top-secret cabinet discussions.
Japan's cabinet chose the word from a selection drawn up by a panel of scholars and experts.
"A short while ago, the government decided at a cabinet meeting on the new era name and how to pronounce it," Cabinet Secretary Yoshihide Suga told a press conference, holding up the new name painted in traditional calligraphy on white paper.
Usually, a new era is revealed only when one emperor has died and his successor has taken the throne. Things are different this time round, however, due to the abdication.Usually, a new era is revealed only when one emperor has died and his successor has taken the throne. Things are different this time round, however, due to the abdication.
Emperor Akihito's three-decade reign is known as the Heisei era, which means "achieving peace" in Japanese. The announcement was made one month early so government offices and companies can update computer software and prepare for the transition before it comes into effect next month.
The era before that was called Showa, meaning ("enlightened harmony"). It was presided over by Japan's wartime emperor, Hirohito, and encompassed both World War Two and Japan's post-conflict boom.
Although still widely used, the traditional gengo calendar is declining in popularity as Japan opens up to global influence.
A recent survey in the Mainichi newspaper found that a third of people mostly used the gengo system, compared to 82% in 1975, while 25% preferred the Western Gregorian calendar.
Since both calendars use Western months, many people simply use them alongside each other.