Overview

Reiwa is an era of Japanese history which began on May 1st, 2019. It is marked by the transition of power from Emperor Akihito to his eldest son, Naruhito, who became the 126th Emperor of Japan.

Background

The upcoming Reiwa period was announced on April 1st, 2019.^[1] The name translates to "Beautiful Harmony." Of note, it is the first name for an era taken from Japanese literature instead of Chinese. Speaking at a press conference announcing the name of the new era, Shinzo Abe said "Manyoshu," the anthology from which the name was adapted, was "a national book symbolizing Japan's rich national culture and long traditions" and that "Reiwa" signifies the importance of the country's culture and the harmony of its citizens.

Jeff Kingston, director of Asian studies at Temple University in Tokyo, told CNN that the name may symbolize the country's trend towards conservatism, and that the use of a Japanese name instead of a Chinese one marked a clear "dog whistle to his conservative constituency."

Developments

The era began on May 1st, 2019, as Emeroe Akihito stepped down and Emperor Naruhito ascended the throne. “When I think about the important responsibility I have assumed, I am filled with a sense of solemnity,” said Naruhito.^[2] Financial Times^[3] wrote the challenges of the Reiwa period include Japan's negotiation of life between superpowers USA and China, considering its stance towards immigration, and allowing youth culture to flourish.

Online Presence

Moe Anthropomorphism

Shortly after the announcement of the Reiwa period, artists began creating Gijinka drawings of the era. These were covered in an article by soranews24.^[4] Popular pieces include ones by @muku_apupop, which gained over 3,500 retweets and 9,900 likes (shown below, left). Another by @nadeshiko0328 gained over 3,500 retweets and 12,000 likes (shown below, right).

Search Interest

External References