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Beginning of a New Era: Excitement About “Reiwa” in Japan

Japanese emperor Akihito’s abdication on April 30 and crown prince Naruhito’s ascent to the throne on May 1 are Japanese events that made history. More than anything else, the meaning of the Japanese emperor’s abdication during his lifetime is all the more special as it comes 200 years after Meiji. On April 1, one month before Naruhito’s ascent, the announcement of a new era name was scheduled. All regions of Japan twinkled with excitement before the announcement was made. Then, the broadcasting of the announcement was the hottest media. At 11:10 a.m. on April 1, Chief Cabinet Secretary Yoshihide Suga appeared on TV to announce that the name of the new era was “Reiwa” and held up a frame on which “Reiwa” was written while facing the camera for about 2 minutes. The viewing rate of NHK’s Kanto region at 11:00 on that day reached 19.3%, which represented a surge of 10 times compared to the average viewing rate of the last four weeks. Japan’s enthusiasm did not show signs of easing up, even after the announcement of the new era name. People rushed to grab extra newspapers published that day and Manyoshu, the reference for the era name, sold out.

Japan’s Unique Culture: Views on Era Names

However, there was criticism claiming that the “reactions were excessive and over the top.” Media outlets reacted positively as a whole but some silently hoped for an “anti-era name.” Others advocated for the “gradual introduction and use of the Christian era.” This is probably natural. Usually, people do not use the era name and there are also many who cannot quickly answer when asked about the Japanese era in which they were born. The era name is part of the calendar used in everyday life in Japan, but the percentage of people still using the era name is steadily declining. In 1975, 82% of Japanese people used the era name, but the ratio dropped recently to 34%. Despite the fact that they are not commonly used anymore, Japanese people get excited about the announcement of new era names. If this is the case, how does the rest of the world view era names? There are countless unique traditions around the world that are beyond our normal comprehension. Thus, the prevailing opinion is that it is unnecessary to be conscious of this kind of gaze. It is for this reason that it is more valuable to cherish Japan’s unique culture, rather than being conscious of the gaze of the world.

A Commotion Caused by the Opening of the New Era, “Reiwa”

Reiwa is clearly distinctive from era names before Heisei. This is because it came from a Japanese classic, instead of a Chinese classic. Prime Minister Abe said in a press conference, “Manyoshu is a national paper that symbolizes Japan’s rich national culture and longstanding traditions.” This comment is seen as a statement made while being conscious of conservatives.

However, there was a bit of commotion in the Chinese press concerning this statement. The Abe administration unveiled a new era name that befitted its own policy in order to come out from under China’s influence, but there exist contentions that this move was indeed also influenced by China. Multiple researchers claim that Manyoshu, from which Reiwa came, had been influenced by the poetry of Zhang Hyeong, a politician and scholar from China’s Later Han period.

Some people regard the presentation of the new era name in the context of nationalism. Prime Minister Abe, who welcomed the quotation of the new era name from Manyoshu, explained, “Japan’s political system must be handed down to the next era. The new era name will bolster the spiritual unity of Japanese nationals.” The public interpreted Abe’s remarks as an expression of nationalism. In retrospect, however, the era name is a personal and historical sign, rather than a slogan of nationalism. According to the Foreign Ministry’s official English translation, “Reiwa,” means, “Beautiful harmony.” Who would object to such an appellation? Of course, there are some people who read the Chinese character, “Rei (令),” as, “Order,” or suspect it to imply state intentions to administer the public. However, considering that its source comes from the blooming plum blossom in the preface of the waka anthology, the latter interpretation seems farfetched. American and British journalists said the quotation of the new era name from Manyoshu would “imply the emergence of Japan’s nationalism” or “express anti-Chinese sentiment.” Most Americans and British people do not connect Japan to the Pacific War anymore. Although Heisei or Reiwa are concepts linked to the state, just the fact that the first year of Reiwa comes would not prompt Japanese to be more proud as nationals.

What Era Names Mean as Names of the Times

The era name has a unique meaning as the calendar unit revolving around Japan’s emperor. Japan’s “one era name per emperor” principle was fixed when the Meiji era name was determined. Many Japanese accept Reiwa as being just the name of a new era, rather than seeing it as having an ideology or being a title for the Japanese emperor. It is possible to see that society changed a great deal when comparing Meiji and Showa eras, which also altered people’s perception about the present Japanese emperor. Japan’s emperors have changed similarly to Europe’s royal courts to a certain degree. Similarly to Europe, there are both devotees and opponents to the royal court in Japan, but the majority of Japanese people think there is no problem with the current system. Moreover, news about the royal family and the beginning of a new era name has become the object of people’s curiosity and draws much attention from the press. Then what do era names mean? Era names have very little meaning at the beginning. The origin and meaning of the two syllables “Reiwa” barely matter. What is important is what motivates those who live in the era to open a new era. In other words, it is difficult to preemptively assume that the era of Reiwa would become an era of “beautiful harmony”; this may be said once the era has come to a close.

Crown prince Naruhito will confront new and different problems as the emperor of Japan. Japanese society is experiencing an unprecedented evolution, and the media’s support and respect for the royal court is wearing thin. While it’s true the royal court is strongly backed by the people, the royal court’s very fluid role has been suggested by problems such as the brouhaha over the emperor’s abdication or the instatement of a queen. There is no denying that Japan’s economic status would decline relatively, owing to a decrease in population, geographical constraints as a country composed of islands, and the economic development of other countries. Against this backdrop, Japan will have to recall what “Reiwa” means, in order to exercise its influence in the international community. Hopefully, “Reiwa” will go beyond the name of an era and become a name that will reflect the era.