Japan map

Japan from 1946 - 2010

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  • Period: to

    Japan Events

  • Rebuilding of Japan

    General MacArthur takes charge of the Supreme Command of Allied Powers and began the rebuilding work in Japan. The rebuilding was due to the destruction of World War II. It takes until 1950 to complete.

  • A New Prime Minister

    Shigeru Yoshida becomes the new Prime Minister of Japan.

  • War Crime Trials

    The War Crime Trials begin in Japan. These trials were put into place because of allegations that Japan was using unequal warfare. Military leaders were the main targets.

  • Constitution of Japan

    The Constitution of Japan is promulgated. That means that it has not been signed yet, but the public knows about it.

  • A Tsunami Strikes

    An undersea earthquake sends a tsunami toward Japan. About 2,000 people died.

  • Constitution of Japan

    The Constitution of Japan is signed and comes into effect.

  • Japanese War Trials

    Verdicts are reached for the Japanese War Crime Trials. Eighteen men were imprisoned.

  • Security Treaty

    A Security Treaty is agreed to between Japan and the United States. It would help strengthen peaceful relationships between the two countries.

  • Japan Independence

    Japan regains its independence. The United States retains control over islands such as Okinawa for military use.

  • A New Prime Minister

    Shigeru Yoshida resigns from the Prime Minister postition. He is replaced by Ichiro Hatoyama.

  • United Nations

    Japan officially joins the United Nations. The United Nations is a group of different nations who want to promote international peace and security.

  • Treaty of Mutual Cooperation and Security

    The Treaty of Mutual Cooperation and Security between the U.S. and Japan is signed in Washington, D.C. The treaty proposed peace between the two countries.

  • Japan gives Permission

    Japan's Prime Minister allows the U.S. to bomb China by sea if necessary. It would be a nuclear attack.

  • Peace Treaty

    The Government of Japan signs a peace treaty with South Korea. It made up for Japan's wrong-doings when they ruled over South Korea.

  • Prime Minister Re-elected

    Sato Eisaku is elected to his third term as the Prime Minister of Japan.

  • Satellite in Orbit

    Japan becomes the fourth nation to put a satellite into orbit. It was named Osumi. It was destroyed during reentry in 2003.

  • Terrorists Strike

    Eight men from the Japanese Red Army, a terrorist group, hijack a Japan Airlines Boeing 727 at Tokyo International Airport.

  • Terrorists Strike Again

    The Japanese Red Army aids a Palestinian group with terror attacks at Lod Airport in Tel Aviv, Israel. The airport is now known as Ben Gurion Airport.

  • Okinawa Returned

    The island of Okinawa is returned to Japan after 27 years of United States military use.

  • Another Terror Attack

    Japanese Red Army member, Osamu Maruoka, took over Japan Airlines flight 404 not long after it took off from Amsterdam.

  • Oil Crisis

    The Japanese economy is harmed due to a beginning oil crisis. Industries in Japan convert to high technology industries.

  • Another Attack

    Four Japanese Red Army members attack the French Embassy at the Hague. They wanter their jailed member released, a plane, and money.

  • Seizing a Building

    Ten Japanese Red Army members seize a building housing the U.S., Swedish, Japanese, and Canadian embassies in Malaysia.

  • Hijack a Plane

    Japanese Red Army members hijack a plane that took off from Bombay. They demanded the release of imprisoned members and money.

  • Japanese Freighter Sank

    A small Japanese freighter, the Nissho Maru, is sank by a U.S. submarine in the East China Sea. Everyone survived except for the captain and first mate. America later accepts full responsibility.

  • Leaders Meet

    Leaders from Japan meet with leaders from other countries near Ottawa, Canada. They discussed issues with the economy.

  • Space Probe Launched

    Japan launched space probe, Sakigake, toward Halley's Comet.

  • The Great Hanshin Earthquake

    The Great Hanshin Earthquake strikes Japan. The 7.2 magnitude quake killed more than 5,000 people. 30,000 people were injured, and 300,000 were left homeless. More than 100,000 buildings were damaged.

  • Financial Crisis

    Japan suffers a large financial crisis similar to the one in the U.S. today. The economic downturn lasted all throughout the 1990's.

  • Red Army Disbands

    The Japanese Red Army officially announces that it will disband.

  • World Baseball Classic

    Japan wins the World Baseball Classic for the second time bringing honor to Japanese Baseball.

  • Second-Highest GNP

    As of 2009, the only country with a higher GNP is the U.S.A. GNP stands for gross national product.