The 'Emperor bug' that could send Japanese computers haywire next year

When the current emperor steps down in April next year, the Japanese calendar will move into a new era - and it could cause havoc with the country's computer systems. The calendar is based on era names that coincide with the rule of its emperors, and the country has been in the Heisei or'peace everywhere' era since Japan's current emperor, Akihito, took the throne in 1989. However, he is is set to step down on April 30, 2019. Japan's Emperor Akihito, took the throne in 1989. However, he is is set to step down on April 30, 2019.to: