http://sp.yomiuri.co.jp/politics/20170110-OYT1T50130.html
※Translation below
Japan's government seems to plan that the current prince will inaugurate as the next emperor in January 1, 2019, and then will change the era name on the same day.
The new era is going to be named and publicized earlier than half a year ahead the emperor changing.
The purpose of it is to realise expiration of the current emperor's position on the last day in 2018, and to minimize confusion among Japanese citizens.
The authority thought it would be better to publicize the era name beforehand, and start on the first day in 2019.
The government plans to submit the exceptional draft to enable just the current emperor to quit to the ordinary session of the Diet on January 20.
The draft includes the date of the expiration will be defined on the political orders.
The order is to be discussed on the imperial congress that consists of the royalty members, prime minister, president and vice- president of the Upper Diet and House council, and the chairman of the supreme court.
(translation ends)
Among Japanese netizens, it's becoming popular to think about funny names of the new era. Don't they take it as spoiling dignity of the royalty?
