The government remains committed to plans to announce the name of Japan's next era before Crown Prince Naruhito ascends the Chrysanthemum Throne on May 1, despite demands from conservative lawmakers to have it announced afterward out of respect for the Emperor, who plans to abdicate, government sources said Saturday.

The government has told conservatives in the ruling Liberal Democratic Party that announcing the new era name on May 1 will inevitably cause the era change to take effect on May 2 instead, according to the sources. Normally, a new era name is announced after the reigning emperor passes away and a new one ascends the throne.

While LDP conservatives have been demanding that the gengō, or era name, be made known after the ascension, government officials believe it is impossible to complete all of the necessary procedures for the era change on the same day, the sources said.