Driver’s licenses with new era name of Reiwa issued

May 5, 2019

Tokyo--Issuance of driver's licenses carrying the new era name of Reiwa began across Japan on Sunday.

Many drivers visited the Samezu driver's license center of the Metropolitan Police Department in Tokyo's Shinagawa Ward to take renewal and other procedures.

"The driver's license is essential for me as I want a sales job," Hiroyuki Anzai, a job-hunting university student, said. "With my birthday in April, I came here to renew the license just after the Reiwa era started."

"Watching the new license, I really felt the change of era from Heisei to Reiwa," Anzai, 22, said.

The Reiwa era started on Wednesday in line with Emperor Naruhito's ascension to the throne, succeeding the 30-year Heisei era under his father, former Emperor Akihito, who abdicated Tuesday.

"I feel very refreshed," a 45-year-old housewife said after renewing her license. "I acquired my license some two years ago. I plan to continue safe driving in Reiwa."

Tetsuro Iguchi, a 69-year-old company worker, said, "It's like I received a brand-new license."

Although he has the so-called gold license issued to safe drivers, he was sometimes late in noticing pedestrians and braked suddenly over the past few years.

"There are many news stories about disastrous accidents caused by elderly drivers," Iguchi said. "I may voluntarily surrender my license at the next renewal five years later, but for some more time I'll take care to continue safe driving by limiting speed." Jiji Press