Heisei Period Tokyo skyline Heisei (平成?) is the current era name in Japan. The Heisei era started on January 8, 1989, the first day after the death of the reigning Emperor, Hirohito. His son, Akihito, succeeded to the throne. In accordance with Japanese customs, Hirohito was posthumously renamed "Emperor Shōwa" on January 31, just as were Mutsuhito (Emperor Meiji) and Yoshihito (Emperor T..
