Japanese Historical Timeline

This timeline is by no means comprehensive, rather, this intended to be a rough sketch of the trajectory of Japanese history.

For a map of Japan - click here.

1615-1867	Tokugawa Period (or Edo Period) – the Tokugawa family becomes the reigning governing authority. The capital is moved to Edo, which will later become Tokyo. The Edo Period is known for it’s relative stability. This stability was largely the result of the government’s isolationist policy; the government all but sealed the nation off from any international trade (export and import) or communications.
1853	Commodore Matthew C. Perry sails into Uraga – The United States sends a fleet of warships, under the command of Matthew C. Perry, to Japan to demand that the Japanese end their isolationist policy and open up for trade.
1854	The Treaty of Kanagawa signed – secured the rights for American ships to dock at two ports: Shimoda and Hakodate. This set the stage for a full-fledged trading relation between Japan and the United States.
1858	Commercial treaty signed between Japan and the United States
1859	Foreign trading post established at Yokohama
1867	The Meiji Emperor installed as the reigning sovereign – The Meiji Reformation reinstituted imperial power, and the creation of a constitutional monarchy.
1868 – 1912	The Meiji Period – is notable for Japan’s rapid modernization project. The Meiji regime quickly assimilated Western technology, science, government and social institutions.
February 11, 1889	The Meiji Constitution
July 1, 1890	The election of the first Diet (the Japanese Parliament) – the Diet convenes November 25, 1890.
February 10, 1904 – September 5, 1905	Russo-Japanese War - Japan declares war on Russia. The Japanese defeat the Russians and are emboldened by the victory. The war ended in 1905 when the Japanese delivered a devastating blow to Russia’s navy, sinking, disabling, or otherwise, damaging 32 of the 35 ships Russia deployed.
August 22, 1910	Annexation of Korea – the Japanese take Korea as a colony
July 30, 1912	The Meiji Emperor dies.
1912-1926	The Taisho Era – Yoshihito, son of the Meiji Emperor, accession to the throne. The period is known for its continued modernization, and the blending of Western and Japanese styles.
September 1, 1923	The Great Kanto Earthquake – also sometimes referred to the Tokyo Earthquake (this event was referenced in the clip we saw from After Life), this was a major earthquake that devastated large sections of the Tokyo-Yokohama area.
December 25, 1926	Taisho Emperor dies.
1926 - 1989	The Showa Era – the son of the Taisho Emperor, Hirohito, assumes the throne.
September 18, 1931	The Manchurian Incident – the Japanese military in China fabricate the bombing of a rail-line by Chinese soldiers, which is then subsequently used as justification for Japan’s military aggression against China.
February 18, 1932	The creation of Manchukuo – the annexation of Manchuria as state essentially under the rule of Japan.
December 7, 1941	The attack on Pearl Harbor – the beginning of the Pacific War between the United States and Japan
October 18, 1941	General Tojo assumes the position of Premier
June 3-5, 1942	Battle of Midway
August 7 – February 9, 1943	Guadalcanal campaign
June 19 – July 9, 1944	Saipan in Marianas falls to the US – this is a major factor in the defeat of Japan. The capture of these islands allows US bombers to reach the mainland of Japan.
November 24, 1944	The B-29 Bombing campaign against Japan’s mainland begins.
July 26, 1945	Potsdam Proclamation – a joint document issued by the Allied Powers demanding that Japan surrender unconditionally.
April 1 – June 23, 1945	Okinawa Campaign – Japan’s most southern island eventually falls to the US and Allied forces. The Okinawa Campaign is known for the use of Kamikaze attacks.
August 6, 1945	Atomic Bombing of Hiroshima
August 8, 1945	Russia enters the war against Japan – attacking Japanese positions in China.
August 9, 1945	Atomic Bombing of Nagasaki
August 14, 1945	Japan accepts the terms of the Potsdam Proclamation – Japan surrenders unconditionally.
September 2, 1945	The USS Missouri sails into Tokyo Bay – representatives of Japan’s military and imperial government board the US Battleship and sign the official surrender; the event is presided by General Douglas MacArthur.
1945 - 1952	Occupation of Japan by the Allied Powers – General Douglas MacArthur is appointed Supreme Commander of Allied Powers (SCAP). During the latter part of the occupation General MacArthur will be replaced.
January 1, 1946	Emperor Hirohito publicly announces that he is not, and never was, an agent of divinity. Historically, the Japanese emperors have been thought of as direct descendants of the Sun God – Amaterasu.
May 3, 1947	Japan adopts a new constitution. The Occupational Authority in essence writes the constitution. The new constitution includes rights for women, individuals, and the press. The constitution also includes Article 9 – a provision that declares that Japan will never wage a war of aggression.
December 23, 1948	General Tojo and other Japanese officials executed as war criminals.
September 8, 1951	Peace Treaty signed in San Francisco at the War Memorial Opera House. Japan signs an official Peace Treaty with 48 other nations. This marks the official end of aggression between Japan and other nations; the occupation officially ends the following year. At the same time, Japan also signs United States – Japan Security Treaty (or the Mutual Security Treaty), which allows for the establishment of US Military bases in Japan.
March 1, 1954	The Bravo Test in the Bikini Atoll is conducted by the United States – the detonation of the first Hydrogen weapon. The Daigo Fukuryu Maru – a Japanese fishing vessel – is exposed to large amounts of radioactive fallout.
November 3, 1954	The premier of the first Gojira film – initiating the longest running film series in the history of film.
November 1969	Premier Sato Eisaku travels to the United States to lobby for the return of Okinawa to Japanese rule. Despite the fact that the occupation of Japan ended in 1952, the island of Okinawa remains under American authority until 1972.
November 25, 1970	Yukio Mishima commits ritual suicide following a failed coup.
1989 - present	The Heisei Era
January 7, 1989	The Showa Emperor, Hirohito, dies; his son, Akihito, assumes the throne. The Heisei Emperor continues to reign although his position is largely ceremonial.

Return to Home Page