Much like chapters in a book, the enthronement of an emperor marks the beginning of a new era in Japan. From Meiji to Taisho to Showa, each imperial era began and ended with the death of an emperor followed by a yearlong period in which the country mourned, holidays and festivities were canceled and the economy briefly sputtered.
But the Heisei Era has a different ending, with Emperor Naruhito ascending the throne on Wednesday following the abdication of his father, now known as Emperor Emeritus Akihito.
¡°The difference is that this era (ended) with the abdication of an emperor, not his death,¡± said Midori Watanabe, a former producer for Nippon TV. ¡°This time, the emperor told the public that he¡¯s concerned about his health and chose to step down and make way for his successor.¡±
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