The End of the Heisei Era
In a move that feels like the final chapter of a long-running drama, Emperor Akihito plans to step away from the throne next year, marking the literal end of the Heisei era. Behind closed doors, the Japanese government has already begun the search for the new era’s name.
Why Japan Still Keeps the Calendar on the World’s Back
While most of the globe uses the Gregorian calendar, Japan still clings to its Chinese‑style imperial dates. In 2018, the rest of the world reads 2018, but in Japan it’s Heisei 30 – the 30th year of Akihito’s reign.
Even when Western dates dominate, imperial names pepper government papers, tabloids, and retail calendars. “It’s easier to picture the past when eras are named,” says Kunio Kowaguchi, president of calendar giant Todan. “I remember the bubble burst in early Heisei.”
Ending the era goes beyond just a title
The Government chose to carry out 13 death sentences in July this year against members of the Aum cult, hoping to close that tragic chapter before Heisei ends. The move was intended to draw a clean line under the 1995 sarin gas assault.
Counting Through History – 250 Eras and Counting!
Japan’s calendar system, introduced in the 7th century, has seen nearly 250 distinct eras. Historically, emperors sometimes renamed the era mid‑reign following natural disasters or crises. But in modern times, an era typically lasts the entire reign of a monarch.
Countdown to Naruhito
With Crown Prince Naruhito scheduled to ascend the Chrysanthemum Throne in May 2019, speculation about the new name is at a fever pitch. Calendar makers flock to the Hokkaidō city for their input, hoping to secure a name that’ll land in the 2020 print run.
Is this the “Y2K” of the Gregorian? — or not
The next imperial era is the first since the computer age, prompting a tech quake reminiscent of Y2K fears back in 1999. However, the internet’s ubiquity today makes a drastic transition less likely. “We can’t predict things entirely,” notes Kazunori Ishii from Microsoft Japan.
Software that converts between Western and imperial dates will need new code, fonts, and translations. With Japan’s deep digital reliance, developers are already on standby for the big reveal.
Secret Saga of Naming the New Era
- Only the government can pick the name – the palace stays out of the picture.
- The name must be two characters, simple to read/write, and not a common name.
- Reusing a previously rejected name is strictly prohibited.
- The new name should avoid using the letters from the last four eras.
Speculation suggests a 2018 announcement would have been ideal, but the search’s delicate nature may have pushed the date back. The process remains shrouded in mystery.
A Legacy of Secret Choices
Former bureaucrat Junzo Matoba recalls how, in the late 1980s, he secretly scoured literary and historical archives to find a fitting name. “Someone thought it was irreverent to think about the next era while the emperor was still alive,” he tells AFP. In 1988, a shortlist of three names emerged; after Emperor Hirohito’s passing in 1989, the council approved Heisei, meaning “peaceful both inside and outside.”
Japan’s Love for the Reset Button
Matoba says Japanese culture loves a fresh start. “A new era, a new mindset,” he repeats, underscoring the nation’s readiness to embrace whatever name comes next. The outcome is poised to be announced soon, and the whole country is preparing to count down to the next chapter in its unique calendar saga.
