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Saint Fracis Xavier, a Portuguese missionary arrived in Japan. They Portuguese became the first and most successful Europeans in trade agreements with Japanese.
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Toyotomi Hiheyoshi violently attacked Korea.
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Shogun Tokugawa Leyasu bans Christianity from Japan.
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During the 1630s, the Japanese broke ties with all foreigners for the next two hundred years.
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Japanese agreed to open two trading ports to the United States.
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Emperor Meijing announced official return of the imperial power and was declared the divine ruler. The Japanese Empire began.
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Japan goes to war against China, and its superior forces emerge victorious in just 9 months.
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The Japanese Empire conquers Taiwan, and installs rule to the next 5 years.
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Japan goes to war against Russia. It grew out of rival imperial ambitions of both empires over Manchuria and Korea. Japanese forces win in 1905.
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Japan annexes Korea after three years of fighting. Japan is now one of the world's super powers.
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Japan declares war on Germany, as they prepared to assist the British in expelling the Germans from the Far East.
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Late 1920s, extreme emphasis is on preservation of traditional Japanese values, and rejection of Western influence
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Japan goes to war with China, and by the end of the year, Japan has captured major Chinese cities. Japanese forces commit atrocities, including the "Rape of Nanjing".
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Japan launches a surprise attack on the US Pacific fleet at Pearl Harbor, Hawaii.The US and its main allies declare war on Japan the following day.
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Japan occupies a succession of countries, including the Philippines, Dutch East Indies, Burma and Malaysia.
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US bombers drop two atomic bombs, one on Hiroshima and a second on Nagasaki (9 August). Japan finally surrenders, and is placed under US military government. All Japanese military and naval forces are disbanded.
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Japan signs treaty with the United States and other nations, ending World War II.
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Japan reclaims its independence, however the United States kept several islands for millitary use.
