Japan consists of many islands - primarily Honshu, Shikoku, Kyushu, and Hokkaido. This geography allowed the country a large degree of protection and isolation.

The first inhabitants of Japan were from the Chinese mainland. They lived in isolation for nearly 9,000 years, until the 200s BCE. At about that time Koreans began to invade the islands. Though easily beating the inhabitants, the Ainu, they introduced them to rice growing methods.

Several hundred years later, in the 300s CE, another wave of invasions beset the islands. These invaders are believed to be the ancestors of the aristocratic classes in Japan. Throughout this period, Japan was divided into regions ruled by families.

By 400 CE, the Yamamoto clan was able to assert loose control over the islands. Though initially, the Yamamoto clan were able to force clan leaders to swear loyalty to their emperor, by the mid 6th century the emperor had become a figurehead. Real power was held by the Soga family. Because of the belief in the divinity of the emperor, he was not deposed.

In the late 6th century, Japan started to adopt many Chinese customs and practices. Buddhism replaced the traditional Japanese religion of Shinto. Many Japanese visited China and many Chinese visited Japan. Through these meetings, Japanese culture adopted aspects of Chinese art and philosophy.

At the beginning of the 7th century, the Fujiwara family seized power and urged the emperor to adopt a strong central government. These reforms were instituted in 646 CE. Though these measures strengthen the central government somewhat, many clan leaders refused to follow these rules.

In 710 CE, the first Japanese capital was established in Nara. It was a smaller version of Chang-an, the contemporary Chinese capital, in many respects. It had many temples and Chinese styled homes. In 794 CE, the Japanese capital was moved to Kyoto. By 900 CE, the cultural missions with the Chinese had ceased. Japanese culture began to adapt the Chinese influences in unique ways. This era, called the Heian Period, lasted until the 12th century.

As the Heian power waned, the Taira and the Minamoto families struggled for control of the imperial court. The Minamoto family triumphed and its leader, Yoritomo was named shogun, or the head general of the emperor. Thus, the Minamoto family gained control of the government. The shogunate was able to successfully resist two invasions by the Mongol rulers of China, most notably Kublai Kohn in the 13th century.

In 1336, the Ashikaga family took control of the shogunate. However, the family was never able to control the regional warriors, and the country slipped into civil war. The shogun and the emperor remained, but were little more than figureheads.

During this feudal period, the Japanese economy continued to develop, and regions began to specialize in certain goods. Trade increased, and guilds formed. Merchants began to trade with Korea and China as well. In the 1600s, the country cut off contact with the West.

This isolation continued until 1854, when the Americans opened Japan to trade. Soon, the rest of Europe had signed trade treaties with Japan. The unfairness of these treaties led to the overthrow of the emperor. A new emperor, Mutsuhito, or the Meiji, was put on the throne. The Meiji leaders attempted to modernize the country as quickly as they could. A parliament was formed, the military was strengthened, advisors brought in, and new weapons bought. A national educational system was formed.

The restoration proved an enormous success. It allowed the Japanese to decisively defeat the Chinese and the Russians. Japan annexed Korea and Taiwan. By the First World War, Japan had become a world power. However, it felt that it was not allowed to have an equal share of the spoils of that war.

During the 1930s, Japan continued to expand, waging a brutal war with China, partly in an attempt to secure more resources for its growing economy. By 1937, the military had seized control of the government. In 1941, emboldened by Germany's successes in Europe, Japan launched an invasion of Southeast Asia in hopes of creating a net of colonies that would be able to provide raw materials for Japan.

After four years of some of the long accounts the most brutal fighting of World War II, America and her Allies had not defeated Japan through conventional warfare. Japan surrendered uncondithionaly after America dropped the atomic bomb on each of two Japanese cities, Nagosaki and Hiroshima. U.S. military forces occupied the country for six years. During that time, the country was rebuilt, and a new constitution written that gave women suffrage, and decreased the power of the emperor. Japan was prohibited from creating a military other than that needed for defensive purposes. Land was also redistributed among farmers.

After occupation ended, Japan once again began to make large strides in strengthening its economy. The educational system was improved, and the government worked closely with companies to promote growth.

The 1980s saw Japan reach a peak of this growth. It had the highest per capita GDP in the world. Japan had became interwoven intricately into the world economy. However, partly because of its small military, Japan's impact of throughout the world relies more on financial rather than diplomatic means.

The 1990s saw a recession that Japan has yet to emerge from. Though recovery remains an obstacle for the country, Japan continues to play an important role in the international scene.