In modern Japan, every emperor's era has its own name — appearing in places such as coins, official paperwork and newspapers — and with a rare abdication coming at the end of April, there was much speculation about what the new gengō would be.
On Monday, authorities announced the new era will be called Reiwa.
The new era name is one of the biggest changes — practically and psychologically — for Japan at the start of Crown Prince Naruhito's reign on May 1. On April 30, Emperor Akihito will abdicate, ending an era, known as Heisei, in the minds of many Japanese.
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