What determines when Japan enters a new era anyways? Is there like a set of conditions that need to be met or just a specific japanese calendar or something?
What determines when Japan enters a new era anyways? Is there like a set of conditions that need to be met or just a specific japanese calendar or something?
What determines when Japan enters a new era anyways? Is there like a set of conditions that need to be met or just a specific japanese calendar or something?
Historically, 1~2 years after the ascension of a new emperor, plus whenever Japanese fengshui (Onmyōdō) deems its auspicious (or inauspiciousness-avoiding) to change the era name (even in the middle of a rule of an Emperor). This is done in in fixed periods after the start of the new era, and sometimes when disaster strikes (to ward off disaster superstitiously) or when significant historical events happen (to herald in a new age, like law reforms or finding a giant chunk of copper deposits).
(And back then usually the Emperor didn't get any say on most era changes or on what to name the era. He just gets to pick when the era starts after getting crowned.)
In the modern period starting Meiji (1867), all this confusing practice was put to rest in favor of a "one reign, one era" system (this was an semi-unofficial practice that was only later formally implemented as law in 1979). So, era names only change when a new emperor is crowned, going Meiji (under Emperor Mutsuhito) → Taishou (Yoshihito) → Shouwa (Hirohito) → Heisei (Akihito). Emperor Akihito is expected to abdicate by April 30, 2019 with Crown Prince Naruhito succeeding him next day on May 1, so the era name will be changed from Heisei to Reiwa then (they have already decided on the name).
Notably, this will be the first time an emperor has abdicated after the institution of the new (post-Meiji) system. Like a few non-absolute monarchies where there is sharing of power between the monarchs and other entities (c.f. King Edward VIII), the monarch isn't allowed to abdicate (usually there is no express provision for abdication) without the permission of the other powers-that-be (usually done via a one-time passage of a specific law, or in older times some sort of council vote). And usually they don't like to make such exceptions anyway (Tradition dictates we do X!) — Emperor Akihito has been hinting without directly asking for years before they finally decided to give him a well-deserved rest.
(Also, starting Emperor Meiji/Mutsuhito, Japanese emperors are known posthumously by their regnal era name, e.g. Emperor Meiji, Emperor Taishou, and so on.)
Honestly, what don't you know? Well, with a little research, most people can know enough on a subject to talk about it, of course. Even I know a bit of what you noted (mainly because my boss just decided to spend the morning meet to rant about that same subject), but not to your level.
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