the next era; the coming age; the next generation
Refers to the period or generation that follows the current one, often used in formal or journalistic contexts about society, technology, or leadership.
Young people who will lead the next generation gathered.
This technology may solve the energy problems of the coming age.
Young people are expected to become leaders who will carry the next generation.
This invention will likely become technology that opens up the next era.
He passed on his skills to the disciple he would entrust the future to.
将来 refers broadly to the future in general, while 次代 specifically denotes the era or generation that comes immediately after the present one.
次代 suggests the next generation or era in a broader historical sense, while 次期 usually refers to a concrete upcoming term or version.
時代 and 次代 are homophones both read じだい, but 時代 means 'era/period' in general while 次代 means specifically the next era or generation.
Compound of 次 (next) and 代 (era, generation).