Name of the New Imperial Era which Begins on 1st May 2019 in Japan?
VerifiedAnswer: Reiwa
Explanation:
Reiwa is the name of Japan's new imperial era that officially began on May 1, 2019. This historic date marked the beginning of a new chapter in Japanese history when Emperor Naruhito ascended to the throne following his father's abdication.
The transition to the Reiwa era was particularly significant because it happened through abdication rather than death. Emperor Akihito, who ruled during the Heisei era (1989-2019), became the first Japanese emperor in over 200 years to voluntarily step down from the throne. He cited his advancing age and declining health as reasons for his decision to abdicate.
The name "Reiwa" carries deep cultural meaning. The characters "令" (rei) and "和" (wa) can be interpreted as "beautiful harmony" or "auspicious peace." This name was carefully chosen from classical Japanese literature, specifically from the Manyoshu, an ancient collection of Japanese poetry. This marked the first time in Japanese history that an era name was derived from Japanese literature rather than Chinese classical texts.
The announcement of the new era name on April 1, 2019, created tremendous excitement throughout Japan. Chief Cabinet Secretary Yoshihide Suga revealed the name by holding up a calligraphy board displaying the characters, which became an iconic moment in Japanese media. The month-long transition period allowed the country to prepare for this momentous change.
Japan's era system, known as "nengo," has been used for over 1,300 years. Each era typically corresponds to an emperor's reign, and the era names are used in official documents, calendars, and daily life alongside the Western calendar system. For example, the year 2019 became Reiwa 1, making 2024 correspond to Reiwa 6.
The beginning of the Reiwa era represented hope and renewal for Japan as the country looked toward the future while honoring its traditions. This new era began during a time when Japan was preparing to host the Tokyo 2020 Olympics (held in 2021 due to the pandemic) and facing various social and economic challenges that required unity and harmony - values perfectly embodied in the era's name.
