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World War II began in Europe, and while the Europeans were focused on the War, Japan announced plans to take over East and Southeast Asia which was called "Greater East Asia Co-prosperity Sphere".
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On December 7, 1941, the Japanese bombed a important military base in Pear Harbor, Hawaii. This led to the US going to war with Japan.
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The US dropped the first atomic bomb ever used on the city of Hiroshima. A few days later, the Americans dropped a second and stronger bomb on Nagasaki.
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After the war ended, the American army occupied Japan. General Douglas A. MacArthur governed Japan. Japan was given a democratic government, which ended the military power and gave Japanese people the basic freedom.
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On September 1951, the Japanese gained freedom from the American occupation. They signed two treaties. A peace treaty with most of the countries they fought with before, and a security treaty which allowed the US to have military bases and troops in Japan.
