Japan

Antiquity

2000 BCE

In antiquity, Japan had one language, being Japonic. The main ethnicity was the Jomon people. The two religions in ancient Japan were Shamanism and Ancestor worship

Korea introduces *BUDDHISM

600

In the 6th century CE, Buddhism is introduced to Japan. It was introduced by the Koreans to the imperial court. However, it was not established as the national religion until the 800s.

Chinese introduced Confucianism to Japan

600

In 600 AD, the Chinese spread *CONFUCIANISM throughout Japan. The rulers of Japan adopt these beliefs. Hundreds of years later, in an era called the *TOKUGAWA PERIOD( A timespan going from 1603 to 1867), some beliefs of Confucianism were used by the *SAMURAI.

Francis Xavier introduces Christianity

1600

In the 16th century, Christianity was introduced to Japan by a Spanish *JESUIT priest by the name of Francis Xavier. However, during the *TOKUGAWA period in the 1700s, Japan limited outside contact and ideas(religions and beliefs.) Because of this, *JAPANESE CHRISTIANITY was prohibited, and thousands of Christians were executed.

Many Koreans move to Japan

1939

Before World War II, Korea was a Japanese colony, and many people were forced into manual labor. During the war, many Koreans had to *MIGRATE to Japan against their will.

Today

2022

There are some ethnicities in Japan but the main one is Japanese people. The main religions of Japan are Shinto and Buddhism, and Christianity is rarely practiced throughout Japanese residents. The many languages of Japan include Japanese and many other local Japanese languages. One of the most used is *Ryukyuan, an Okinawan language.