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Jan 1, 607
Japan Angers China
An Emisarry from Japan to China accidently angered the Chinese Emperor by saying that "the Emeperor of the Land where the Sun rises sends a letter to the Emperor of the Land where the Sun sets." This implied that China and Japan were equals, which apparently struck a nerve with the Emperor. This seems to be the beginning of a lot of tension with China. -
Jan 1, 1274
Mongols Invade Japan
The Mongol army tried to invade Japan. They ended up losing 75% of their troops and supplies while trying to cross the ocean. Naturally, the Mongols ended up losing and retreating. This was the first time the word "kamikazi" was used, which literally means 'divine wind'. -
Jan 1, 1534
Firearms are Introduced
A fleet of Portugese ships got blown off course and landed on one of the islands of Japan. They introduced firearms, which made an already storng army even stronger and more efficent. -
Jan 1, 1537
Last Shogun driven out of Capital
The 15th and last Shogun was chased out of the capital of Japan. A new Emperor took over. Buddhism lost some popularity, and Shintoism became more recognized. This marked the beginning of a new era. -
Jan 1, 1575
Battle of Nagashino
The forces of the Takeda clan attacked Nagashino castle, because it was threatening the clan's supply lines. It is considered the first "modern" battle of Japan because of the use of calvary, fire arms, and volley fire. -
Japan begins Self-Isolation
Troubles with rebellions lead the government to expell traders, missionaries, and other foreigners, except for a few Dutch and Chinese merchants who were restricted to certain areas. -
Shimabara Rebellion
The Shimabara Rebellion was an uprising involving peasants, Christians, and several ronin (Samurai who broke the Bushido code by getting fired, or who's master died. In either case, the Samurai in question should have been dead, because in either of those cases, he would have been compelled to commit honorary suicide by the Code.) The rebellion was caused by drastically raised taxes due to building a new castle, and the religious prosecution of Christians. -
Japan opens trade to the West
American Commodore Matther Perry intimidated Japan into opening trade with the western countries. He brought in several war ships, and had no problem showing them off. At the time, Japan didn't have a Navy to defend themselves. Since Japan just gave them what they wanted, it started a string of other such events. -
Treaty of Peace and Amity
Commodore Perry returned to Japan with 7 ships and demanded that the Shogun sign the Treaty of Peace and Amity. The treaty involved Japan having to open ports/feed/ clothe/ and provide other needs for American sailors. I see the conversation going something like this:
[Perry: "Sign this treaty or we'll blow y'all to smithereens."
Shogun: Signs, shaking in his boots."
Perry: "Now high five! Photo-op! USA + Japan 4EVA!!!"
Perry: *Glares at Shogun] -
Harris Treaty
Once again, Commodore Perry floated on over to Japan, and forced the Harris Treaty on them using "gunboat diplomacy" (Anyone else notice a theme here?). The Harris Treaty gave the USA the right to controll all tarriffs on Japanese ports. All three of the treatys signed opened up Japan to trade, and modernized it. -
Boshin War
The humililation of the Shogun signing the treaties started a civli war. Signing those treaties was a sign of weakness, and in Japan, being weak is just about worse than being dead. The Tokugawa Shogun was forced to resign, and the Emperor regained power. -
Sino-Japanese War
Japam fought China over posession of Korea, and won that war as well. It was another effort at becoming an Empire. -
Anglo-Japanese Alliance Treaty
The Japanese signed the Anglo-Japanese Alliance Treaty with England. However, it was a very tenuous treaty, due to a lot of What If's. England refused to help Japan with it's effort in Korea, and Japan refused to help England with their effort in India. -
Russo-Japanese War
Japan fought Russia over Manchuria and won. This is a bit of a marking point for when Japan started becoming an empire. -
Annexation of Southern Manchuria and Korea
Southern Manchuria and Korea annex to Japan, and become a part of the Empire. -
Recognized as a Major Country
Japan was recognized as one of the "Big Five" of a new international order at the treaty of Versailles. This is the start of the Japan we now know. -
Crackdown on Communism
The Japanese government cracks down on Communists and Socialists in the country -
February Incident
The "February Incident" was an attempted coup d'etat in Japan that was carried out by 1,483 Japanese soldiers. They blamed the country's financial troubles on the old-fasioned members of the government, and were going to assassinate them so they would be replaced by younger members. -
Anti-Comintern Pact
The Anti-Comintern Pact was signed with Germany against part of the Soviet Union. It was the beginning of the alliance of Nazi Germany, and the beginning of a lot of problems with the USSR -
Emperor takes control of Army
Emperor Showa became the Supreme Commander of the Imperial General Headquarters. He put himself in charge of the army, so he pretty much ran the show in all fields. -
Axis Pact
Japan formed the Axis Pact with Germany and Italy. In the Allied forces, Japan is now viewed as one of the "Bad Guys". -
Japanese Assets Frozen
All Japanese Assets in the US were frozen. As a result, Japan lost quite a bit of money, and one of the bigger coutries that they had trade with. -
Attack on Pearl Harbor
Pearl Harbor was a preventative action to keep the US Pacific Fleet from meddling in the plans against the UK, Netherlands, and US forces in South East Asia. As a result, the US plunged full force into World War Two. -
Bombing of Hiroshima and Nagasaki
The United States had firebombed 67 major Japanese cities for six months before this bombing. They dropped an Atomic bomb on Hiroshima, and followed with Nagasaki three days later. The bombing wiped out both cities, and eventually lead to Japan's surrender of WWII -
New Constitution
A new constitution for post-war Japan was made. It provided a parlimentary system, garuntees basic rights, and other such things. The Emperor became a decoration, who really only does ceremonial and traditional type things. -
Japan Regains Soveringty
Japan regained full soveringty after signing the Treaty of Peace. It's no longer an imperial power. -
Treaty of Peace with Japan Ratified
The Treaty of Peace with Japan officially ended WWII. It was signed by 48 Nations on July 8, 1951. The treaty ended Japan's position as an imperial power. -
Japan and USSR stop the war
Japana and the Soviet Union sign a Joint Declaration to end the war and restore diplomatic relations. -
Summer Olympics 1964
Tokyo holds the Summer Olympics. It seems like an unofficial forgiveness of Japan. -
Osaka International Exposition
The Osaka International Expositon lasted from March 15 to September 13. It was the first world fair held in Japan. -
Recession
Japan Experoences first major recession since the end of World War Two due to raising oil prices. -
Out of the recession
One of the most Rapid economic growth spurts in Japanese history hits. This is about when the Japan we all know and love showed up. -
Great Hanshin Earthquake
This Earthquake was a 6.8 on the scale, and lasted for 20 seconds straight. About 6,434 people died. It was the worst earthquake in the 20th century after the Great Kanto earthquake in 1923 (14,000 people died) -
First Japanese written records: 57 CE
The first written records of Japan date back to this time. The name of Japan at that time was 倭, which is pronounced "Wo" or "Wa". It was described as a land with hundreds of tribal communties. They ate raw fish, vegetables, and rice, served on wooden or bamboo trays. They built grave mounds made of earth, and clapped thir hands while praying (which is still done in modern Shintoism). They collected taxes, and had markets. -
Tohoku Earthquake
This was the most powerful know earthquake to hit Japan. It ranked a 9.0 on the scale, and was one of the 5 worst earthquake in recorded history. The following tsunami had 128 foot high waves, and the death toll was 22, 000 people. -
Fukishima Disaster
On March 12, 2011 Reactor 1 exploded. On the 13, there was an explosion at reactor 3. On March 15 Reactor two had an explosion, and there was a large fire at reactor 4. -
Buddhisim is Introduced
A political delegation from Korea brought over gifts of a bronze Buddah statue, some Sutras (which are books filled with proverb-like sayings), and other religious objects. The Japanese hesitantly accepted the gifts, but soon after they built a temple, a huge epidemic hit. The common belief was that the "Kami" (indigenous Shinto gods) were angry, so they thrown in the river, and the temple was destroyed. But the idea of Buddhism lasted regardless.