Japan
Historical Events
c. 36000 BC - First known habitation
The first known habitation of the Japanese archipelago dates back to the Upper Paleolithic.
1185 - Kamakura Shogunate established
The Kamakura shogunate was established, marking the rise of military aristocracy in Japan.
1600 - Tokugawa Shogunate unifies Japan
Japan was unified under the Tokugawa shogunate, initiating a period of isolation.
1853 - Forced opening of Japan
An American fleet forced Japan to open trade, leading to significant political shifts.
1868 - Meiji Restoration
The Meiji Restoration restored imperial power and marked the end of the shogunate.
1910 - Annexation of Korea
Japan officially annexed Korea, expanding its influence in East Asia.
1937 - Invasion of China
Japan invaded China, escalating its militaristic expansion in Asia.
1941 - Entry into World War II
Japan attacked the U.S. and European colonial powers, joining World War II as an Axis power.
1945 - Japan surrenders
Japan surrendered after the atomic bombings of Hiroshima and Nagasaki, ending World War II.
1990s - Lost Decades
Japan experienced a prolonged period of economic stagnation known as the Lost Decades.