Japanese reign period that began in 1989 when Akihito became emperor on the death of his father, Hirohito .
The Heisei period has been a sober one for the Japanese, marked by turbulent politics (with 11 prime ministers in its first dozen years), an economic slowdown, and crises in the financial world. A devastating earthquake in Kōbe and a nerve-gas attack on a Tokyo subway line by members of AUM Shinrikyo (both in 1995) contributed to the generally dark picture of the period. Positive events have included the wedding of the crown prince and hosting the 1998 Winter Olympic Games in Nagano. See also Shōwa period .