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Calendar publishers want new era name by next January

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Gimmie a break.....what's next? Never heard these publishers moaning back when the Hesei era started after the first week of January....after ALL calendars were printed. They made their money, and they will again.

3 ( +3 / -0 )

It's almost as though the IHA hasn't had one picked out and ready for a couple of decades.

2 ( +2 / -0 )

I wonder how many foreign commentators here can say correctly the year and and the era name of now.

-3 ( +2 / -5 )

I wonder how many foreign commentators here can say correctly the year and and the era name of now.

For the posters living in Japan, I would bet the number is in the high 90 percentile. Pretty hard to miss when you live here.

5 ( +6 / -1 )

Meanwhile, calendar publishers in the UK are feeling relaxed, because they've just found out what next year will be. (Hint: it's 2017 plus one).

5 ( +5 / -0 )

Why not start a new trend and get rid of the Imperial year system here for official documents and calendars and save millions a headache?

Maybe it'll also help the Japanese remember historical dates quicker since it takes them eons to do now.

4 ( +4 / -0 )

Meanwhile, calendar publishers in the UK are feeling relaxed, because they've just found out what next year will be. (Hint: it's 2017 plus one).

That's not entirely true of all calendar publishers in the UK. Next February 6th is set to be 67 Elizabeth 2, but it could also be 1 Charles 3. Thankfully this antiquated system is no longer foisted on the general public in the same way it is in Japan.

2 ( +2 / -0 )

Good grief, what a bunch of ignorance! Why on earth does it bother you that Japan uses this system? Why shouldn't they?

Lots of countries and cultures follow a dual-calendar system, with traditional new years and holidays taken from their own history and beliefs.

It's a big world out there. Y'all should go exploring a bit more.

-3 ( +1 / -4 )

Why on earth does it bother you that Japan uses this system?... Lots of countries and cultures follow a dual-calendar system, with traditional new years and holidays taken from their own history and beliefs.

Because it's incredibly inefficient for those of us here in Japan who are forced to use the system in everyday business transactions.Nobody would have a problem with it if it were used ceremonially for special government events, but it's not.

It's fine to use this system when talking about past historical dates (such as a birthday) but the system completely breaks down when you are dealing with the future. For example, someone who signs a 35 year mortgage today will be given a contract showing that their final payment is due in Heisei 64. There will never be a Heisei 64, ever. Even if the emperor changes his mind, he is not going to live to be 118. Yet, this is how all the computer systems at Japanese banks are configured. It's crazy.

2 ( +3 / -1 )

I'm not sure what is difficult about it. Companies in Japan - and people with mortgages for that matter - have been managing fine. Contracts signed in Showa times have survived in Heisei haven't they?

Perhaps you should ask for help, if you're not sure how it works.

-1 ( +1 / -2 )

Because it's incredibly inefficient for those of us here in Japan who are forced to use the system in everyday business transactions.Nobody would have a problem with it if it were used ceremonially for special government events, but it's not.

No it's not, not at all. Please feel free to speak for yourself. Nobody I work with, or ever have worked with, foreign or Japanese ever had a problem with it, not found it inefficient.

It's basically foreigners that complain the loudest about it, because it's different. So what?

1 ( +2 / -1 )

None of the calendars I have use the era name and they are calendars sent to me by Japanese companies. Even the NHK one doesn't use it and they are supposed to be quite old fashioned and traditional.

If they absolutely must have the era name on the calendar they could leave a blank space, allowing people to fill it in once it's known.

0 ( +1 / -1 )

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