Japan signs Anglo-Japanese alliance with Britain. The Japanese had relations with European countries before World War One.
Imperial Conference decides to go to war with Russia. This would lead to a historic victory.
Japanese navy attacks Russian ships by Port Arthur
Japan declares war on Russia
Japan beats Russia in battle of Tsushima. This established Japan as a powerful modern country.
Japan creates Kwantung army to protect Manchuria. Japan focused on the militarization of their country.
Month and year specified; day not specified
Japan declares war on Germany. This gave the Allies another useful ally.
Germany surrenders Shandong province of China to Japan. Japan had acheived their main objective in World War One, which was to gain part of China as their territory.
Japan gives China 21 demands. This was a step along the way to Japan's colonization of parts of China.
China agrees to first 4 demands
World War One ends, bringing the conflict to a close.