The government announced the new era name one month before it will go into effect in a bid to avoid disruptions to the lives of the public.
In particular, modifying the information systems of such entities as central ministries and agencies, companies and local authorities will take time. It is vital for public and private concerns to work together to get through the transition to the new era name.
The government has been working to get relevant systems modified for nearly a year. Last May, a conference was held of related ministries and agencies at which a policy was confirmed of completing all their system modifications by the time the new era name takes effect.
In keeping with this, each ministry and agency set up a mock new era name using two kanji characters and began work to switch over their systems. Preparations were said to be essentially completed in March, and they have reportedly reached the point where all that remains this month is to test changing from the mock new era name to the actual one.
A supplementary resolution to the special measures law passed in 2017 to realize the Emperor's abdication states that efforts will be made to prevent the transition to the era name from causing difficulties in the lives of the public.
Compared to the time when the Heisei era name was introduced, a wide swath of society has become digitized. The data handled is also more complex, so meticulous preparations are necessary.
The government has held explanatory meetings for companies throughout the nation, calling on businesses to hurry their preparations. According to a survey by the Economy, Trade and Industry Ministry, 84 percent of businesses are expected to complete their modifications by the day the new era name takes effect, or by their first business day after the name takes effect.
The Internal Affairs and Communications Ministry has sent notices to local authorities and provided information related to system modifications.
The government has also devised measures to prevent disruptions in the lives of the public during the 10 consecutive holidays from April 27 through May 6. To increase the number of children who can be temporarily looked after at day-care facilities, the government will provide additional subsidies for such care during the 10-day period.
Local authorities will distribute to residents lists of medical institutions that can handle emergency, outpatient and other care during the long break.
Businesses gear up
Now that the new era name has been selected, private businesses' efforts to modify their systems will get into full swing.
Microsoft will make it possible, through a software update that may be available this month, to handle the new name.
Life insurance companies will change the customer data for individual coverage to reflect the new era name, as elderly people, who account for the majority of their policyholders, tend to prefer using the Japanese era names.
Preparations will proceed for sales and events, as retail, service and other businesses see the establishment of a new era name as a significant business opportunity. This is in contrast to the mood of self-restraint that prevailed at the time the Heisei era name came into effect.
For example, Prince Hotels, Inc. will offer a "countdown to the new era" wedding plan at its group hotels. On Monday, the Takashimaya department store's Shinjuku outlet in Tokyo began taking orders for "new era chopsticks" with the new name engraved on them.
Koya Miyamae of SMBC Nikko Securities Inc. estimates the increase in consumption stemming from such factors as the era name transition and the 10-day block of holidays at about 377 billion yen (about 3.4 billion dollars). He also predicts that the nation's gross domestic product for April-June will receive a boost of 0.28 percentage points.
"Unlike the previous era name transition name, the celebratory mind-set will have a positive effect on consumption," Miyamae said.
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