A new era that opened amid the turmoil of a pandemic
The Heisei era began on January 8, 1989, and came to an end on April 30, 2019. The Reiwa era started on May 1, 2019.
As Reiwa is still in its early years, let’s look back at the meaning and origin of the new era name “Reiwa,” and how this new era began.
Revisiting its beginning may offer clues about what lies ahead.
Let’s first understand the meaning of the new era name, along with its source.
The source of “Reiwa” comes from a passage in the Manyoshu, Japan’s oldest anthology of poetry, in the section known as “Thirty-two Poems on Plum Blossoms”: “In the auspicious month of early spring, the air is clear and the wind gentle; plum blossoms open like powder before a mirror, and orchids release their fragrance behind one’s sash.”
“Rei” was taken from “auspicious month,” and “Wa” from “the wind gentle,” forming “Reiwa.”
Until then, every Japanese era name had been drawn from Chinese classics, so “Reiwa” drew major attention as the first to come from a Japanese classic.
In a statement by the Prime Minister, Reiwa was described as carrying the meaning that “culture is born and nurtured as people bring their hearts together in a beautiful way.”
When explaining the meaning of Reiwa in English overseas, Japan’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs has conveyed it as “Beautiful Harmony.”
So what exactly is the era-name system?
Before looking back on what happened at the start of Reiwa, let’s deepen our understanding of gengo.
A gengo is a title assigned to a specific period of years.
Originally introduced from China as a way of counting years, the gengo system today is used only in Japan.
Under current law, the era name changes when a new emperor ascends the throne.
Before the Meiji period, era names could also change in response to disasters, famine, or auspicious signs.
In Japan, gengo are used as commonly as the Gregorian calendar.
That’s why a change in era name strongly signals to many Japanese people that a new era has truly begun.
With the era name changed and Japan entering a new era, let’s look back at what happened.
On April 30, 2019, the emperor abdicated during his lifetime. On May 1, 2019, the era name changed from Heisei to Reiwa, marking the start of the Reiwa era.
This was the first abdication since Emperor Kokaku of the Edo period, roughly 200 years earlier.
Declining health and difficulty continuing official duties were cited as the reason for the abdication.
Because there was no legal provision for abdication during an emperor’s lifetime, a special one-time law was enacted.
On October 1, 2019, Japan’s consumption tax was raised from 8% to 10%.
Along with the increase, a reduced tax rate system was introduced.
This system keeps the tax rate at 8% for certain eligible items.
Eligible items include food and beverages (excluding alcohol and dining out), and newspapers issued at least twice a week under a subscription contract.
After infections were first reported in early December 2019, a global pandemic followed within months, drastically changing how people live.
In Japan, the first domestic case was confirmed in January 2020. On April 7, 2020, a state of emergency was declared for seven prefectures—Tokyo, Kanagawa, Saitama, Chiba, Osaka, Hyogo, and Fukuoka—and expanded nationwide on April 16.
During the state of emergency, people were asked to refrain from going out except when necessary for daily life, and many activities were restricted.
Classes moved to Zoom, more companies adopted remote work, and dining out and travel became difficult. Many everyday activities were no longer possible, forcing major lifestyle changes.
These changes affected many industries, with dining and tourism hit especially hard.
At the same time, some sectors grew thanks to more non-face-to-face communication and increased free time.
While restrictions and impacts have eased over time, as of 2022 they had not fully disappeared.
For the first time in 57 years since 1964, Tokyo hosted the Olympic and Paralympic Games.
They were originally scheduled for summer 2020, but were postponed by one year due to COVID-19.
The Tokyo Olympics were held from July 23 to August 8, 2021.
The Tokyo Paralympics were held from August 24 to September 5, 2021.
As the pandemic had not yet settled in 2021, most events were held without spectators—an unprecedented format.
On February 24, 2022, Russia began its military invasion of Ukraine, claiming that NATO had broken a promise not to expand eastward.
The impact on the global economy has been significant. Sanctions on Russia drove up prices for natural gas, crude oil, and more, affecting Japan as well and pushing up the cost of many goods.
Although the Reiwa era has only just begun, the COVID-19 pandemic brought major changes.
It’s not an exaggeration to say that Japan has already shifted in both name and reality from Heisei to Reiwa.
There has been no shortage of grim news, including Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, but by overcoming difficult times and growing through them, we can only hope Reiwa becomes the kind of era its meaning aspires to—one in which culture is born and nurtured as people come together in beautiful harmony.
Image of the Reiwa era
The Imperial Palace, residence of the abdicated emperor
Sample receipt after the reduced tax rate was introduced
Image of Tokyo during the COVID-19 pandemic
Japan National Stadium, venue for the Tokyo Olympic and Paralympic Games
Image of Russia’s military invasion
