Regarding The New Era Name “Reiwa”
1. Prior to his abdication from the Throne by the reigning emperor His Majesty the Emperor and the Accession to the Throne of His Imperial Highness the Crown Prince, the Japanese government has decided in the Cabinet council meeting that the new era name will be “Reiwa” , and announced its decision on 1st April, 2019.The new era name will be used in Japan from 1st May when His Imperial Highness the Crown Prince accedes to the throne.
2. "令和（Rei-Wa）” is composed of two Chinese characters, in which “令(Rei)” means “beautiful” and “和” means “harmony”. It encompasses the meaning, “culture will be nurtured as people bring their hearts together in a beautiful manner”.
3. The new era name was adapted for the first time in Japan’s history from a national classic. It was taken from wording appearing in the Manyoshu, which is Japan’s oldest poetry anthology and was compiled more than 1,200 years ago.
4. The URL of the opening statement by the Prime Minister Shinzo Abe is as follows:
https://japan.kantei.go.jp/98_abe/statement/201904/_00001.html