Japanese literature scholar Susumu Nakanishi, 90, who is believed to have suggested the current Imperial era name of Reiwa, advises that we escape misfortune together through self-restraint.
During an interview by The Yomiuri Shimbun, he shared his thoughts about Japanese society in the Reiwa era. His remarks are transcribed below.
A full year has passed since the Imperial era changed from Heisei to Reiwa. I think there are now many opportunities to see the new era name at various places and on various occasions. Companies and schools have adopted the word into their names as well. While the Imperial era name itself has no physical form, once spoken, it remains in the subconscious and leads the society toward something better.
Currently, we continue to impose self-restraint on ourselves due to the new coronavirus pandemic, and a feeling of being stuck with an uncertain future fills the atmosphere. Putting importance on Reiwa may help us overcome this terrible misfortune and defeat the virus.
Look up the kanji character "rei" in Reiwa in a Chinese dictionary, and you will find a phrase meaning, "Rei is about good." Specifically because it is good, people restrain themselves and abide by "rei," which connotes "order." The kanji character "wa," the second component of Reiwa, means happily coexisting with everyone while behaving responsibly and with awareness. Collectively practice self-discipline and avoid misfortune. I believe that now is the time for us to act while taking the message of Reiwa to heart.
Japan is a country that has seen beauty in its resilient flexibility. By remaining still now should lead away from illness and toward a broad and happy future.
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