---
node: reiwa
type: period
slug: reiwa_era
title: "Reiwa era"
lead: "The Reiwa era began on May 1, 2019, with Emperor Naruhito. Its name comes from the Man'yoshu poetry anthology — the first era name drawn from a Japanese classic rather than a Chinese one."
published: 2026-07-09
updated: 2026-07-09
---

## Overview

The Reiwa era is the era of Emperor Naruhito, beginning on May 1, 2019. The name Reiwa was drawn from the Man'yoshu poetry anthology, making it the first era name taken from a Japanese classic rather than a Chinese one.

## Key developments

Early Reiwa was dominated by the COVID-19 pandemic. The Tokyo Olympic and Paralympic Games, postponed from 2020, were held in 2021 largely without spectators.

## End and transition

The Reiwa era is ongoing and has no end date.