Introduction
令和元年 (Reiwa gannen) refers to the first year of the Reiwa era, which started on May 1, 2019. The Reiwa era began after the abdication of the Emperor Akihito, who was succeeded by his son, Emperor Naruhito. The Reiwa era is the current era in Japan’s traditional calendar system, which has been used for over a thousand years.
The Reiwa Era
The Reiwa era follows the Heisei era, which began on January 8, 1989, and ended on April 30, 2019. The Heisei era lasted for over thirty years and saw many significant events in Japan, including the economic boom of the 1980s, the Kobe earthquake of 1995, and the 2011 earthquake and tsunami.
The name Reiwa was chosen by the Japanese government and announced by the Chief Cabinet Secretary on April 1, 2019. The name is derived from a 7th-century Japanese poem and means “beautiful harmony.”
The Start of the Reiwa Era
The Reiwa era officially began on May 1, 2019, which is known as 元号改正の日 (gengō kaisei no hi), or “the day of the change of era name.” This day was declared a national holiday in Japan to mark the start of the new era.
The first year of the Reiwa era is designated as 令和元年 (Reiwa gannen), which translates to “the first year of Reiwa.”
How the Era System Works
Japan’s traditional calendar system is based on the reigns of the country’s emperors. Each emperor’s reign is given a name, known as a 元号 (gengō), which is used to date official documents and other records.
The era system was first introduced in Japan in the 7th century and has been used continuously since then, with the exception of a brief period during World War II when the Western calendar was used instead.
Why the Era System Matters
The era system is an important part of Japan’s cultural heritage and is still widely used in daily life. It is used on official documents, newspapers, and other publications, and is also used to mark significant events in Japan’s history.
The era system is also used to refer to periods of time in Japan’s popular culture, such as in anime and manga, where it is often used to give a sense of historical context.
Conclusion
令和元年 (Reiwa gannen) began on May 1, 2019, and marked the start of the Reiwa era in Japan’s traditional calendar system. The era system is an important part of Japan’s cultural heritage and is still widely used in daily life. The name Reiwa was chosen to represent “beautiful harmony,” and the first year of the Reiwa era is designated as 令和元年 (Reiwa gannen).
