Abe, crown prince meet for first time since new era name release

April 8, 2019

Tokyo--Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe on Monday met with Crown Prince Naruhito for the first time since the announcement on April 1 of the name of the country's next era.

At the meeting at the Togu Palace, the residence of Crown Prince Naruhito in the Motoakasaka district of Tokyo's Minato Ward, Abe gave "explanations" to the Crown Prince, according to the government.

The prime minister is believed to have reported the government's decision on the new era name, Reiwa, to Crown Prince Naruhito, informed sources said.

"I'd like to refrain from disclosing details of the 'explanations,'" Chief Cabinet Secretary Yoshihide Suga told a press conference on Monday.

On Friday, Abe met with Emperor Akihito at the Imperial Palace in Chiyoda Ward in the Japanese capital. Many conservative supporters of Abe have called for consideration to be also given to the Crown Prince, who is set to ascend to the throne on May 1, when the new era starts, following Emperor Akihito's abdication on April 30.

Abe held meetings with the Emperor and the Crown Prince on March 29, three days before the decision on the next era name.

Right after the decision was made on April 1, Deputy Chief Cabinet Secretary Kazuhiro Sugita, through the Imperial Household Agency, informed the Emperor and the Crown Prince of the adopted next era name ahead of its announcement to the public.

The current Heisei era, which started in January 1989, is set to end on the day when Emperor Akihito steps down. Jiji Press