The current era is , which began on 1 May 2019, following the 31st (and final) year of the . While the started on the day after the death of the Emperor Hirohito (8 January 1989), the began the day after the planned and voluntary abdication of the 125th Emperor Akihito. Emperor Akihito received special one-time permission to abdicate, rather than serving in his role until his death, as is the rule. His elder son, Naruhito, ascended to the throne as the 126th Emperor of Japan on 1 May 2019.