Japan eyes new era with prince’s ascension on Jan. 1, 2019

The government plans to let Emperor Akihito abdicate on Dec. 31, 2018, and switch to a new era with Crown Prince Naruhito’s ascension to the Chrysanthemum Throne the following day, sources said. The start of the new era on Jan. 1, 2019, is intended to minimize confusion in people’s lives, the government sources said. The Heisei Era under Akihito and preceding eras in recent memory have started in the middle of a year because the emperors assumed the throne upon the deaths of their predecessors. Many documents in Japan record years based on the era, as well as the Gregorian calendar. When Emperor Showa died on Jan. 7, 1989, the Heisei Era started the following day. 1989 is referred to as both Showa 64 and Heisei 1, meaning government offices and companies needed to print documents showing 1989 and Heisei 1 to replace those with 1989 and Showa 64. The...