Time Line


538 Buddhist religion introduced from China.

794 Permanent capital established at Kyoto.

1192 Rule by shoguns begins.

1543 First Europeans reach Japan

1872 First railway opened, linking Tokyo and Yokohama.

1894-5 Japan defents China and acquires Taiwan.

1904-5 Japan defeats Russia.

1910 Japan takes over Korea.

1923 Earthquake destroys much of Tokyo and Yokohama.

1926-89 Reign of Emperor Hirohito.

1937 Japan tried to conquer China.

1941 Japan attacks US naval base at Pearl Harbor.

1945 Atomic bombs dropped on Hiroshima and Nagasaki. Japan surrenders and loses overseas empire.

1946-52 Allied occupation of Japan.

1947 Japan adopts a democratic constitution.

1964 Olympic games held in Tokyo.