Japanese Imperial Transition

 
 Following the enforcement of the Special Measures Law on the Imperial House Law Concerning the Abdication of the Emperor and Other Matters on April 30, 2019, His Majesty the Emperor abdicated on the same day and His Imperial Highness the Crown Prince acceded to the Throne on May 1, 2019.

 With the accession to the Throne of His Majesty the Emperor Naruhito, the new Japanese era be called ‘Reiwa’ as from May 1, 2019.

 ‘Reiwa’ is composed of two kanji characters.  ‘Rei’ means beautiful and ‘wa’ means harmony.  Thus, ‘Reiwa’ implies that ‘culture will be nurtured as people bring their hearts together in a beautiful manner.’