Japan is scrambling to reconcile systems with imperial calendar

Japan is scrambling to update software, revise forms and print new calendars before May 1, when the world’s third-largest economy begins a new imperial era. Across Japan, which relies internally on an ancient calendar that honors a reigning emperor, it will be the first day of the first year of the age of Reiwa. The new era, christened just weeks ago , will force the country’s sprawling bureaucracy to literally turn back the clock to Year 1.

Source: www.nytimes.com