Not a lot of people talk about it around me (Tochigi prefecture here), more focused on work honestly.

I don't like this name, it's another boring and generic "something Peace" one like at least the 2 previous ones, absolutely no interest. They could have found something a bit more original...

Anyway, Japanese eras are just an annoying relic that I hope will disappear slowly. It's a pain in the ass to have to check "2019 or 31" everytime you have to write the date on a document (and even worse when you have to write about past events). I moved last month, it was ridiculous to change the date format on each of the 30 documents I signed in the month, or to have to look which Showa year my parents were born.

This new change might push people to use the international calendar more. Who wants to buy new calendars or modify documents to write "Reiwa 1" instead of "Heisei 31", when you can just keep using 2019... Thankfully my company uses 2019 anyway.

It's more symbolic. And Japanese people DO love their symbols.

Well i just interested in becoming part of the history like when Hong Kong returned to China, or like every other even that happen around the world. For japan i always interested with their history and culture and also i am weeb and always following Japanese drama, anime, manga, novel and martial art, war tactic, etc. 

This is a great opportunity to witness some history, so mark your calendar for April 30 and May 1.

I'll be watching too, assuming I don't get dumped on too much work.

In western countries eras are signified by big political or cultural changes, that's why they're only named after they have already changed over because nobody knows when a current era will end.

The "eras" in Japan are not actual eras but simple historic markers for a change of the emperor. This is merely a historic relic because nowadays the change of the emperor changes virtually nothing since he doesn't have any actual political power. Back in the days it meant something, nowadays it's completely devoid of meaning.

Compare Japanese eras with a change of the pope, just even more meaningless.

If it were to be it'd be up to the japanese citizens.

The Emperor is mostly symbolic at this point, much like Belgium's King, but they were stripped of their powers and part of its symbols by another country.

Self-sovereignty should take precedence over imported ideologies.

Interesting culture the Japanese have

Monarchy is a superior form of government.

A monarchy can also be a democracy.

I thought it all ended after the edo period. whelp, i'm clueless.