Japan reveals names of new imperial era will be "Reiwa"

Mon, Apr 1st 2019, 01:22 PM

The country's current era, Heisei, will end in a month with Emperor Akihito's historic abdication.

Chief Cabinet Secretary Yoshihide Suga announced the highly anticipated name by holding up a board with the characters handwritten on it.

Prime Minister Shinzo Abe has addressed the nation to explain its meaning.

Each Japanese emperor's reign, or "gengo", is given a name that is then used alongside the Western calendar to mark the years.

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