Disco in Japan is back as partygoers celebrate the Heisei imperial era

Japanese disco fans celebrated the end of the three-decade Heisei era last night by partying like it was 1989 when Emperor Akihito’s reign first began

Many of the clubs that symbolised the fun and excess of Japan’s go-go years eventually closed, but times change – and the strobe lights are coming back on

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Dancers celebrating the start of Japan’s new Reiwa imperial era at the Maharaja nightclub in Tokyo’s Roppongi district. Photo: Reuters

Published: 3:00pm, 1 May 2019Updated: 3:43pm, 1 May 2019

Japanese disco fans hit the dance floor last night and partied like it was 1989, reliving the glitz of the “bubble economy” heyday that defined the early years of the outgoing Heisei imperial era.

Tuesday night was the last chance for nostalgic Japanese to bid sayonara to the three-decade Heisei era, which ended at midnight with the abdication of retiring Emperor Akihito. New Emperor Naruhito’s reign started on Wednesday, ushering in the Reiwa imperial era, meaning “beautiful harmony”.

In an echo of the heady late ’80s “bubble economy” days of early Heisei, women in slinky dresses at the Maharaja Roppongi disco grooved to the beat while mirror balls glittered and veteran disco personality DJ Osshy manned the turntables, with the party culminating in a midnight countdown.

“I used to go to Maharaja every Friday night in the early Heisei days. I feel like I’ve gone back in time,” says Yu Inada, a homemaker. Inada brought for the occasion a white feather fan, a must-have accessory in the bubble days that she has held on to since then.

Japan’s new Emperor Naruhito, accompanied by new Empress Masako, makes his first address during a ritual after succeeding his father Akihito at the Imperial Palace in Tokyo on Wednesday. Photo: AP

“Back then every day was fun. It was a gorgeous era. Nowadays things are a little plain,” she says before hopping on the elevated stage to strut her stuff.

Shirin Higashi, a 54-year-old aesthetician, came for the countdown. “I thought it would be more fun with everyone here than at home alone. I’m happy I could take part in the celebration,” she says.