Key Events in Modern Japanese History

Great East Japan Disasters

Refers to the events surrounding the earthquake and tsunami that struck Japan on March 11, 2011.

3.11

The date of the Great East Japan Disasters, specifically the earthquake on March 11, 2011, at 2:46pm.

Earthquake

A dangerous earthquake that occurred on March 11, 2011, with a magnitude of 9.0, marking the largest earthquake in Japanese history.

Tsunami

A huge tsunami caused by the earthquake on March 11, 2011.

Fukushima nuclear meltdown

Incident where three of six nuclear reactors melted down, releasing radioactive materials in water and air, after the 2011 earthquake.

TELCO

Tokyo Electric Power Company, which handled the Fukushima situation poorly, leading to a loss of public faith.

Wagō Ryōichi's Pebbles of Poetry

A Twitter account where Ryoichi discusses the aftermath of the earthquake and the destruction of Fukushima, expressing feelings of discontent and loss.

Tezuka Osamu

The creator of anime, known for the character Astro Boy.

Astro Boy

Also known as Iron-Armed Atom, a character created by Tezuka Osamu.

Kawaii

A Japanese term meaning 'cute'.

Hello Kitty / Sanrio

A character that symbolizes a woman forced into a submissive role, as she is depicted without a mouth.

Postmodern culture

The valuing of activities, events, and perspectives that emphasize the particular over the global or the fragment over the whole.

Murakami Takashi

The creator of the Superflat art movement.

Superflat

Refers to a superficial culture of flat, popular images reproduced everywhere, characterized by flat, mat-like coloring and ambiguous meaning.

Information & service economy

A movement away from manufacturing into an increasingly information-based economy.

Bubble economy (1980s)

A period characterized by low interest rates that made it easy to take out loans, leading to inflated land and stock prices.

1990-91: Burst of the bubble

A time marked by employment difficulties, the end of guaranteed life employment, and a rise in consumer debt.

The Lost Decade (1990s)

A decade-long recession in Japan, beginning with a GNP growth of only 1.5% in 1992.

NEET

An acronym for 'Not in Education, Employment, or Training.'

Freeters

Individuals who lack full-time employment or are unemployed, excluding housewives and students.

Hikikomori

A type of NEET who withdraws from society, staying in their home for six months or longer; estimated at 1 million people.

Declining children problem

A demographic issue where nearly 1 million children were lost in five years, influenced by high costs of living and education.

Herbivore men

Kind gentlemen who are not bound to traditional masculinity, do not pursue romantic relationships, and do not harm others.

Korean War

A conflict that began in 1950 and ended with a ceasefire in 1953, during which US military focus shifted to Korea.

Ministry of International Trade & Industry (MITI)

Responsible for policies covering various industries and foreign trade in Japan, excluding agricultural products and foods.

Income Doubling Plan

A plan by a new Japanese minister aimed at doubling the size of the Japanese economy, which was ridiculed as unrealistic.

Era of High-Speed Growth

A period that boosted industries producing consumer goods and encouraged massive construction projects.

3C's, 3J's

3C's: Cars, Coolers, Color TVs; 3J's: Jewels, Overseas vacations, Houses.

Love marriages

A shift from arranged marriages to love marriages, influenced by rising wealth and material expectations.

Tōkyō Olympics (1964)

An international multi-sport event held in Tokyo, Japan, marking a significant moment in Japanese history.

Salarymen

Employees in Japan who typically enjoy lifetime employment.

Enterprise society

A term for countries that promote self-reliance, innovation, and individual achievement.

Lifetime employment

A system where main employees are guaranteed lifetime employment, with reciprocal dedication from the company.

Cultural qualities contributing to economic success

Attributes such as hardworking nature, politeness, and effective time management.

Danchi

Concrete high-rises built in Japan, often associated with concerns about quality of life and pollution.

Minamata Disease

A pollution-related health issue first discovered in 1956, linked to mercury poisoning in Minamata Bay.

Occupation of Japan

The period from 1945 to 1952 marked by demoralization, crime, and economic destruction following World War II.

Gen. Douglas MacArthur

The Supreme Commander of the Allied Powers during the occupation of Japan.

SCAP (Supreme Commander of the Allied Powers)

The authority that allowed the Showa emperor to remain in power, viewing him as a source of moral authority.

Tōkyō Trials

Trials against high-ranking Japanese leaders for war crimes, often referred to as 'victors justice.'

Japan's postwar constitution

A new constitution written in secret by allies, establishing equal rights for women and freedom of speech.

Article 9

A clause in Japan's postwar constitution that renounces war and the threat of force.

Japan Self-Defense Forces (est. 1954)

The military replacement established for Japan, focused strictly on defensive operations.

The long shadow of World War II

The lasting impact and consequences of World War II on Japan's society and politics.

2014 change in interpretation of Article 9

A reinterpretation allowing Japan to exercise collective self-defense and engage in military action under certain conditions.

Senkaku/Diaoyu Islands

Islands over which China and Japan have ongoing disputes and conflicts.

Yasukuni Shrine

A controversial Shinto shrine in Tokyo, associated with Japan's war dead, including convicted war criminals.

Breakdown of US-Japan relations

A historical context involving Pearl Harbor, the Pacific War, and the Greater East Asian Co-Prosperity Sphere.

Pearl Harbor (1941)

The event that marked the start of America's involvement in World War II due to Japanese aggression.

Greater East Asian Co-Prosperity Sphere

Japan's propaganda for Asian dominance free from the West.

ABCD Encirclement

Japan's perception of being surrounded by major powers.

Rationing

Food distribution control starting in 1941 in cities.

Battle of Midway

1942 turning point using island hopping strategy.

Kamikaze pilots

Suicidal attacks by Japanese pilots in desperation.

Battle of Okinawa

Intense fighting allowing bombing of mainland Japan.

Tokyo firebombing

March 1945 bombing causing starvation and displacement.

Atomic bombing of Hiroshima

August 1945 bombing to force Japanese surrender.

Imperial Rescript on Surrender

Emperor Hirohito's speech announcing Japan's surrender.

Great Depression

1929 economic crisis halting international trade.

Rise in militarism

Increased military influence in Japanese politics.

South Manchurian Railroad

Site of Japan's false flag operation for invasion.

Manchurian Incident

1931 staged attack justifying Japan's invasion.

Fifteen-Year War

Conflict period from 1931 to 1945 involving Japan.

Manchukuo

Puppet state established after Japan's Manchurian invasion.

Henry Pu Yi

Last Qing emperor, puppet ruler of Manchukuo.

Marco Polo Bridge Incident

1937 event escalating conflict into full-scale war.

Rape of Nanjing

1937 massacre by Japanese soldiers in China.

Shōwa Period

Era of Japanese history from 1926 to 1989.

Mass media

Television and radio's rise in Japanese culture.

King (Magazine)

First best-selling Japanese magazine with over 1 million copies.

Takarazuka

All-female musical theatre troupe in Japan.

Casino Folies

1930 theatrical production in Japanese entertainment.

Moga & mobo

Terms for modern girl and modern boy in Japan.

Koga Harue

Surrealist painter known for unique artistic style.

Ero, ****, nansensu

Artistic movements reflecting escapism and social critique.

Death of the Meiji emperor

1912 event marking the end of the Meiji era.

Taishō Period

Era of liberal reforms and cultural flourishing (1912-1926).

Liberal Movement

Increased political participation during the Taishō era.

Emperor Taisho

Ceremonial ruler during the Taishō period.

Western Influence

Adoption of Western customs and technology in Japan.

Cultural Developments

Flourishing of modern art and literature in Taishō.

Feminist Awakening

Women's rights activism gaining momentum in Taishō.

Economic Challenges

Japan faced crises despite democratic reforms.

Military Developments

Growth of Japan's military during the Taishō period.

Militarism

Rise of military influence in Japan during the 1930s.

Taishō Democracy

Liberal and democratic trends in Japan (1912-1926).

Early Shōwa Period

Militarism and aggression from 1926 to 1945.

Post-War Shōwa Period

Radical changes after WWII, 1945 to 1989.

Great Kantō Earthquake

1923 disaster that devastated Tokyo and Yokohama.

League of Nations

International organization where Japan's racial clause failed.

Washington Conference

Limited naval armaments to prevent arms race.

Population of Tōkyō

First city to exceed one million residents.

The Twelve-Stories

Japan's first skyscraper, symbolizing modernization.

Hokkaidō

Second largest island of Japan.

Ryūkyū Islands

Region where Okinawans and Ainu faced assimilation.

Sino-Japanese War

Conflict (1894-95) between China and Japan.

Treaty of Shimonoseki

Granted Korea independence and control of Taiwan.

Triple Intervention

Russia, Germany, and France intervened in Japan's affairs.

Russo-Japanese War

Conflict (1904-05) over Manchuria between Japan and Russia.

Treaty of Portsmouth

Ended Russo-Japanese War, forced Japan to return land.