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10,000 BCE
Jomon Period (10,000 BCE - 300 BCE)
This period consisted of the most early inhabitants of the Japanese islands. During this time Japan was inhabited by mostly gatherers, fishers, and hunters. Pottery was also created as the Jomon period began. People of the Jomon period kneaded clay to create pottery in shapes they liked. This period demonstrated increasing technical and artistic skill and the rising importance of ritual practices. -
300 BCE
Yayoi Period (300 BCE - 250 CE)
During the Yayoi period the rice culture was imported into Japan around 100 BC. With the introduction of agriculture, social classes started to form and change, and parts of the country began to unite under powerful landowners. During this period Japan largely transitioned to a more settled, agricultural society, adopting methods of farming and crop production that were introduced to the country from Korea. -
250
Kofun Period (250 - 538)
The Kofun period recorded Japan’s earliest political centralization, when the Yamato clan rose to power in southwestern Japan, and established its claim as the imperial bloodline of the nation. The people believed in Kamis and were worshipped with offerings or rice, clothing, cakes, and sometimes animals. The word kofun is Japanese for the type of burial mound dating from this era. -
525
Introduction Of Buddhism (525)
Buddhism was imported to Japan via China and Korea in the 6th century. While Buddhism was welcomed by the ruling nobles as Japan's new state religion, it did not spread quickly among the common people. Buddhism brought a political structure in Japan, while also being a key factor in encouraging literacy, education, and the arts in Ancient Japan. -
538
Asuka Period (538 - 710)
During this period, Buddhism, Chinese writing and other mainland Asian exports arrived via the Korean kingdom of Baekje. Taken together, these imports had a profound impact on all aspects of Japanese society. This new religion called Buddhism contained many ideas and images that were different from the concerns of native Shintō. This period also saw an increase in Japan’s contact with other regional powers. -
710
Nara Period (710 - 784)
Beginning with the establishment of the new imperial capital at Nara in 710, the Nara Period marked the incipient stage of the classical era of Japanese history. Intensive efforts by the imperial court to record its history produced the first works of Japanese literature during the Nara period. The Nara period was also known for the ascendancy of Buddhism in general. -
794
Heian Period (794 - 1185)
Heian (平安) means 'peace' in Japanese. This was a period in Japanese history when the Chinese influences were in decline and the natural culture matured. Japanese religious life also from this time and onwards was a combination of native Shinto practices and Buddhism. It also saw the inception of the nascent samurai and some of Japan’s most lasting art. -
1185
Kamakura Period (1185 - 1333)
The Kamakura period was known by its gradual shift in power from the nobility to landowning military men in the provinces. This point in Japanese history was a time of dramatic transformation in the politics, society, and culture of Japan. This period is known for the emergence of the samurai, the warrior caste, and for the establishment of feudalism in Japan. -
1333
Kenmu Restoration (1333 - 1336)
This was a three-year period of Imperial rule in Japanese history. The Kenmu Restoration was an effort made by Emperor Go-Daigo to overthrow the ruling Kamakura Shogunate and restore the Imperial House to power in Japan. The Kenmu Restoration was ultimately overthrown when Takauji became Shōgun and founded the Ashikaga Shogunate in 1336, beginning the "Northern and Southern Courts" period and the Ashikaga period -
1336
Ashikaga Period (1336 - 1568)
After a three-year-long interregnum known as the Kenmu Restoration (1333 – 1336), it was during the Ashikaga period that the first European settlers arrived in Japan, Portuguese missionaries and traders who sailed ashore at southern Kyūshū in 1543. Besides this, this period was also a time of different groups fighting for power in Japan along with economic prospects, art, architecture. -
1568
Azuchi-Momoyama Period (1568 – 1600)
The Azuchi-Momoyama period was a brief period at the end of the Warring States Era when Oda Nobunaga and his successor, Toyotomi Hideyoshi, imposed order on the nation in the aftermath of the crumbling of the Ashikaga shogunate. This period saw the country united after centuries of a weak central government and small conflicts between hundreds of rival warlords. -
Tokugawa Period (1603 – 1868)
This was the final period of traditional Japan, a time of internal peace, political stability, and economic growth under the shogunate (military dictatorship). The Tokugawa Shogunate brought order and unity to Japan by closely managing social hierarchies. It was a special case of peaceful rule by military leaders. In addition, every Japanese person during the Tokugawa period in Japan was a Buddhist. -
Meiji Period (1868 - 1912)
In 1868 the Tokugawa shōgun lost his power and the emperor was restored to the supreme position. The emperor took the name Meiji as his reign name; this event was known as the Meiji Restoration and the Meiji period followed. In this period Japan was able to strengthen itself enough to remain a sovereign nation in the face of Western colonizing powers. -
The Meiji Restoration (1868 - 1889)
This restoration takes its name from Emperor Meiji, who was restored to nominal supreme rule following the Boshin War. It resulted in the dissolution of Japan's feudal system of government and the restoration of the imperial system. The political system then allowed people to pursue new opportunities. The Japanese people experienced social changes, including better education and increased rights and opportunities. -
Japan Annexes Korea (August 22, 1910)
The Japan–Korea Annexation Treaty, was made by representatives of the Empire of Japan and the Korean Empire on 22 August 1910. In this treaty, Japan formally annexed Korea after years of war and intimidation. The annexation of Korea solved many political problems for Japan but also to show the world that Japan was the strongest single power in the far east. -
Taishō Period (1912 – 1926)
This was another period in Japanese history that coincided with the reign of Emperor Taishō. This period continued the process of transformation of foreign models. Besides this, Japan also participated in World War I and continued its colonial rule of Korea and Taiwan. In this war, Japan also continued its military involvement in East Asia when it seized occupied areas of China. -
Shōwa Period (1926 – 1989)
This period, the years leading to Japan's involvement in World War II saw the Emperor set about expanding Japan’s military presence throughout East and Southeast Asia. This period also saw the atomic bomb dropped on Hiroshima. After the emperor announced Japan’s surrender on August 15, 1945, the organs of surrender were signed aboard the USS Missouri on September 2. -
Japan Signs Alliance With Nazi Germany (September 27, 1940)
The Tripartite Pact, was an agreement concluded by Germany, Italy, and Japan on September 27, 1940, one year after the start of World War II. For Japan, it created a defence alliance between the countries and its main purpose was to deter the United States from entering the conflict. The Axis powers recognized Japan as the dominant power in Asia. -
Postwar Period (1945 – Present)
After World War II ended, Japan was devastated. All the large cities, the industries and the transportation networks were severely damaged. A severe shortage of food continued for several years. A new constitution went into effect in 1947: The emperor lost all political and military power. This constitution changed the way Japanese were governed and also encouraged social change. -
Japan Joins The United Nations (December 18, 1956)
On December 18, 1956 Japan became the 80th member state of the UN, which was launched as a result of the two preceding world wars, with the goal of saving future generations from the horrors of war. Since its accession, Japan has proactively contributed to world peace through the UN. Japan has been a leader in the UN on issues such as peace-building and human security.