New emperor, new era: How a single word defines Japan

That is the question facing officials in Japan, where a change of emperor is about to usher in a new era. Image copyright
AFP/Getty Images

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Emperor Akihito, pictured with Empress Michiko, will give up the Chrysanthemum Throne on 30 April

The era before that was “Showa” (“enlightened harmony”), presided over by Japan’s wartime emperor, Hirohito. Image copyright
AFP/Getty Images

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A Japanese calendar for 2019 – also known as Heisei 31

When the favoured name has been chosen, the cabinet will adopt an ordinance on it, and the current emperor will sign it off.

Source: www.bbc.co.uk