Japan: timeline and key events

Legendary founding of Japan by Emperor Jimmu

According to Shinto tradition, the first Emperor Jimmu, a descendant of the goddess Amaterasu, founds Japan and inaugurates an unbroken imperial lineage, the oldest in the world.

Foundation of Nara, first permanent capital

The imperial court settles in Nara, inspired by the Chinese model of Chang'an, marking the beginning of the Nara period characterised by the adoption of Buddhism, writing and continental arts.

Foundation of Kyoto, imperial capital

Emperor Kammu transfers the capital to Heian-kyo (future Kyoto), which remains the Emperor's residence for a thousand years and becomes the centre of classical Japanese culture with its temples, arts and refined literature.

Beginning of the Kamakura Shogunate, age of the samurai

Minamoto no Yoritomo wins the Genpei War and founds the first shogunate in Kamakura, establishing samurai warrior dominance over the court nobility and creating a model that will last seven centuries.

First Mongol invasion repelled by the Kamikaze

Kublai Khan's Mongol fleet lands in Japan but is repelled; during a second attempt in 1281, a typhoon destroys the fleet and saves Japan, the life-saving wind being named "kamikaze" (divine wind).

Tokugawa Shogunate, beginning of 250 years of peace

Tokugawa Ieyasu is appointed Shogun and founds the Edo government, establishing sakoku (Japan's isolation from the outside world) and 250 years of internal peace allowing exceptional cultural and economic development.

Arrival of Commodore Perry, end of isolation

American Commodore Matthew Perry forces his way into Edo harbour with his "black ships", compelling Japan to sign the Convention of Kanagawa in 1854 and ending two centuries of isolation, triggering a major political crisis.

Victory over Russia, Russo-Japanese War

Japan achieves the first victory of an Asian power over a modern European power by defeating Russia, inspiring anti-colonial movements in Asia and confirming Japan's great power status.

Great Kanto Earthquake, 100,000 deaths

A magnitude 7.9 earthquake destroys Tokyo and Yokohama on 1 September, killing around 105,000 people, mainly in the fires that follow the disaster, devastating the Japanese capital.

Japanese invasion of Manchuria

The Japanese army orchestrates the Mukden Incident and invades Manchuria, creating the puppet state of Manchukuo; this episode marks the beginning of Japanese military expansionism in Asia.

New democratic Constitution

Japan adopts a new constitution under American occupation, renouncing war (Article 9), establishing parliamentary democracy and placing the Emperor as a symbolic sovereign without political power.

Japan becomes the world's 2nd economic power

Japanese GDP surpasses that of West Germany, making Japan the world's second-largest economy after the United States, the result of the "Japanese economic miracle" built on industry, savings and technological innovation.

End of the Showa era, death of Emperor Hirohito

The death of Emperor Hirohito, who had reigned for 62 years, closes the Showa era, the longest in Japanese history, spanning the rise of militarism, war, defeat, reconstruction and the economic miracle.

Great Hanshin earthquake, 6,000 deaths

A magnitude 6.9 earthquake strikes Kobe and its region on 17 January, killing more than 6,400 people and causing damage estimated at 100 billion dollars, calling into question Japan's preparedness for disasters.

Tokyo Olympics held despite pandemic

The Tokyo 2020 Olympics, postponed by a year due to the COVID-19 pandemic, take place without spectators, giving Japan the opportunity to demonstrate its organisational capacity under extraordinary conditions.