元号（Gengo） Gengo had been widely used in the region of East Asia over thousands of years since its creation by Emperor Bu in B.C. 140 during Han Dynasty China.   In the case of Japan, the first Gengo was officially created in A.D.645 through a significant political shift called “Taika Reform”.  From the Asuka era until the end of the Edo era, it was common that emperors and empresses held multiple-Gengo during their ruling periods in accordance with changes from traditional, political or natural aspects.    However, after the famous the Meiji restoration, the system was arranged so that each emperor has only one Gengo from his (or her-- currently revival of status of empress being considered) coronation until his death.  Today, Japan is the only country in the world that still enjoys this Gengo system.  Japan's current Gengo, Heisei period is believed to be the 125^th Gengo when counted from the mythological first emperor in Japan, Jinmu-Tenno.   It is in the year of 15th which is equal to 2003 in western calendar. 

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