Chief cabinet secretary to announce Japan’s new era name

February 17, 2019

Tokyo--Chief Cabinet Secretary Yoshihide Suga is set to announce Japan's new era name on April 1, government officials said Saturday.

The government believes that the new era name should be made public by its chief spokesman, the chief cabinet secretary, informed sources said.

Prime Minister Shinzo Abe has approved a plan for Suga to announce the new era name, according to government sources.

When the country' era name was last changed in January 1989, Keizo Obuchi, then chief cabinet secretary, announced the new name, Heisei, at a press conference.

Suga will announce the new era name immediately after the cabinet adopts an ordinance about it.

The ordinance will be adopted after discussions by experts and then all cabinet ministers as well as hearings with heads and vice heads of both chambers of the Diet, the country's parliament.

This process is expected to take about two hours. Details, including time schedule, have yet to be decided, as they are affected by the Diet's schedule.

The new era name will be reported to Emperor Akihito and Crown Prince Naruhito just before it is announced to the public.

The government will not ask opinions from the Emperor and the Crown Prince in order not to violate Article 4 of the country's constitution, which bans the Emperor's involvement in politics.

The new era name will be introduced on May 1, when Crown Prince Naruhito ascends to the throne following Emperor Akihito's abdication set for April 30. Jiji Press