Japan

660 BCE (Monday, February 11) – Legendary founding of Japan by Emperor Jimmu

794 CE (Tuesday, July 17) – Heian Period begins, with the establishment of Kyoto as the capital

1192 (Friday, March 4) – Minamoto no Yoritomo establishes the Kamakura Shogunate

1603 (Saturday, March 24) – Tokugawa Ieyasu establishes the Tokugawa Shogunate, beginning the Edo period

1868 (Tuesday, January 3) – Meiji Restoration: The Tokugawa Shogunate is abolished, and Japan begins rapid modernization

1894-1895 (Sunday, July 25) – First Sino-Japanese War: Japan defeats China and gains Taiwan

1914-1918 – Japan participates in World War I as part of the Allied Powers

1923 (Saturday, September 1) – Great Kanto Earthquake: 142,800 people killed in Tokyo and Yokohama

1941 (Sunday, December 7) – Attack on Pearl Harbor by Japan, leading to World War II

1945 (Monday, August 6) – Atomic bombing of Hiroshima; August 9, 1945 – Atomic bombing of Nagasaki

1947 (Wednesday, May 3) – New Constitution takes effect, establishing Japan as a constitutional monarchy

2011 (Friday, March 11) – Great East Japan Earthquake (9.0 magnitude); Tsunami devastates the coastline and leads to the Fukushima nuclear disaster

2020 (Wednesday, March 11) – COVID-19 Pandemic: Japan begins implementing emergency measures

Continent: Asia
Location: Eastern Asia, an island nation in the Pacific Ocean
Capital: Tokyo
Language: Japanese
Currency: Japanese Yen (¥)
Population: ~126 million (last updated: April 2025)
Time Zone: Japan Standard Time (JST, UTC +9)

Borders: Japan is an island nation and does not share land borders with any other country
Landscape: Mountainous terrain with flat coastal plains
Major Rivers: Shinano River, Tone River, Kiso River
Major Mountains: Mount Fuji, Mount Kita, Mount Yari
Deserts: None
Lakes: Lake Biwa, Lake Kasumigaura
Volcanoes: Mount Fuji, Mount Aso, Mount Sakurajima
Highest Point: Mount Fuji – 3,776 m (12,389 ft)
Lowest Point: Hachiro-gata – -4 m (-13 ft)
Climate: Japan has a diverse climate, ranging from temperate in the north to subtropical in the south. Winters can be cold with heavy snowfall, while summers are hot and humid.
Geological Features: Japan is located on the Ring of Fire, making it highly seismically active with frequent earthquakes, volcanic eruptions, and tsunamis.

Ethnic Group: Predominantly Japanese (98.5%), with minorities of Koreans, Chinese, and others
Religion: Shintoism, Buddhism, and Christianity (minority)
Urban Population: ~91% (last updated: 2023)
Aging Population: ~28% aged 65+ (last updated: 2024)

Famous For: Technology, traditional arts, pop culture, cuisine, and history
Cuisine: Sushi, ramen, tempura, sashimi, udon
Music: J-Pop, traditional music (e.g., Taiko drumming, Shamisen music)
Sports: Baseball, sumo wrestling, soccer, martial arts
Arts: Ikebana (flower arranging), Origami (paper folding), Kimonos, Tea Ceremony
Festivals: Cherry Blossom Festival (Hanami), Gion Matsuri (Kyoto), Tanabata Festival

Economy Type: Advanced, highly industrialized
GDP: Approx. $4.9 trillion USD (last updated: 2024)
Major Industries: Automobiles, electronics, robotics, steel, ships, and technology
Key Exports: Motor vehicles, machinery, electrical machinery, precision instruments
Unemployment Rate: ~2.8% (last updated: 2024)
Economic Regions: Highly urbanized regions around Tokyo, Osaka, and Nagoya; heavy industries and technology clusters in eastern and western Japan.

Government Type: Constitutional monarchy with a parliamentary democracy
Head of State: Emperor Naruhito (as of April 2025)
Head of Government: Prime Minister Fumio Kishida (as of April 2025)
Legislature: Bicameral (House of Representatives & House of Councillors)
Constitution: In effect since 1947

Tokyo: The capital, known for modern architecture, shopping, and vibrant culture
Kyoto: Famous for traditional temples, shrines, and gardens
Osaka: Known for its food culture, Osaka Castle, and modern entertainment
Hokkaido: Ski resorts and natural beauty, especially in Niseko
Mount Fuji: Iconic active volcano and popular hiking destination
Nara: Famous for historical landmarks and ancient temples, such as Todai-ji