Japan counts years with era names (gengo) as well as the Western calendar. The present era is Reiwa, which began on May 1, 2019. Under the Era Name Act, an era name changes only when a new emperor comes to the throne.
Era Name Act, 1979Now: Reiwa
元号Era names
How set
by cabinet order
When changed
only when a new emperor succeeds
Reiwa began
May 1, 2019
Before Reiwa
Heisei (from 1989)
From e-Gov Laws.
The Era Name Act
The Era Name Act (Act No. 43 of 1979) has only two parts. First, era names are set by cabinet order. Second, an era name is changed only when there is a succession to the throne.
Its supplementary provisions say that the name Showa counts as an era name set under this law.
Heisei and Reiwa
A cabinet order in 1989 changed the era name to Heisei.
A cabinet order in 2019 changed the era name to Reiwa. It took effect on the day after April 30, 2019, the day set by a special law on the Emperor’s abdication. So Reiwa began on May 1, 2019.
Eras named for emperors
Since the Meiji era, each era has been named for an emperor: Meiji, Taisho, Showa, Heisei and Reiwa.
Think about it
Q1The year 2019 was both Heisei 31 and Reiwa 1. How would you write your birthday in Japanese era years?
Q2Why do you think the law says an era changes only when a new emperor comes to the throne?
Q3Does your country use more than one way of counting years?
There is no single right answer. Talking it over with someone at home is a good way to learn.
Did you know? — The Era Name Act has only two short rules.