Key Events in Modern Japanese History

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100 Terms

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Great East Japan Disasters

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

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3.11

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

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Earthquake

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

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Tsunami

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

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Fukushima nuclear meltdown

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

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TELCO

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

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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.

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Tezuka Osamu

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

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Astro Boy

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

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Kawaii

A Japanese term meaning 'cute'.

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Hello Kitty / Sanrio

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

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Postmodern culture

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

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Murakami Takashi

The creator of the Superflat art movement.

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Superflat

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

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Information & service economy

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

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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.

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1990-91: Burst of the bubble

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

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The Lost Decade (1990s)

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

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NEET

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

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Freeters

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

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Hikikomori

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

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Declining children problem

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

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Herbivore men

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

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Korean War

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

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Ministry of International Trade & Industry (MITI)

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

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Income Doubling Plan

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

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Era of High-Speed Growth

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

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3C's, 3J's

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

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Love marriages

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

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Tōkyō Olympics (1964)

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

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Salarymen

Employees in Japan who typically enjoy lifetime employment.

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Enterprise society

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

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Lifetime employment

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

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Cultural qualities contributing to economic success

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

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Danchi

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

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Minamata Disease

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

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Occupation of Japan

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

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Gen. Douglas MacArthur

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

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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.

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Tōkyō Trials

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

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Japan's postwar constitution

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

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Article 9

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

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Japan Self-Defense Forces (est. 1954)

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

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The long shadow of World War II

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

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2014 change in interpretation of Article 9

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

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Senkaku/Diaoyu Islands

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

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Yasukuni Shrine

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

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Breakdown of US-Japan relations

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

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Pearl Harbor (1941)

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

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Greater East Asian Co-Prosperity Sphere

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

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ABCD Encirclement

Japan's perception of being surrounded by major powers.

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Rationing

Food distribution control starting in 1941 in cities.

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Battle of Midway

1942 turning point using island hopping strategy.

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Kamikaze pilots

Suicidal attacks by Japanese pilots in desperation.

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Battle of Okinawa

Intense fighting allowing bombing of mainland Japan.

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Tokyo firebombing

March 1945 bombing causing starvation and displacement.

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Atomic bombing of Hiroshima

August 1945 bombing to force Japanese surrender.

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Imperial Rescript on Surrender

Emperor Hirohito's speech announcing Japan's surrender.

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Great Depression

1929 economic crisis halting international trade.

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Rise in militarism

Increased military influence in Japanese politics.

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South Manchurian Railroad

Site of Japan's false flag operation for invasion.

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Manchurian Incident

1931 staged attack justifying Japan's invasion.

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Fifteen-Year War

Conflict period from 1931 to 1945 involving Japan.

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Manchukuo

Puppet state established after Japan's Manchurian invasion.

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Henry Pu Yi

Last Qing emperor, puppet ruler of Manchukuo.

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Marco Polo Bridge Incident

1937 event escalating conflict into full-scale war.

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Rape of Nanjing

1937 massacre by Japanese soldiers in China.

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Shōwa Period

Era of Japanese history from 1926 to 1989.

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Mass media

Television and radio's rise in Japanese culture.

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King (Magazine)

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

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Takarazuka

All-female musical theatre troupe in Japan.

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Casino Folies

1930 theatrical production in Japanese entertainment.

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Moga & mobo

Terms for modern girl and modern boy in Japan.

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Koga Harue

Surrealist painter known for unique artistic style.

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Ero, ****, nansensu

Artistic movements reflecting escapism and social critique.

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Death of the Meiji emperor

1912 event marking the end of the Meiji era.

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Taishō Period

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

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Liberal Movement

Increased political participation during the Taishō era.

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Emperor Taisho

Ceremonial ruler during the Taishō period.

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Western Influence

Adoption of Western customs and technology in Japan.

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Cultural Developments

Flourishing of modern art and literature in Taishō.

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Feminist Awakening

Women's rights activism gaining momentum in Taishō.

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Economic Challenges

Japan faced crises despite democratic reforms.

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Military Developments

Growth of Japan's military during the Taishō period.

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Militarism

Rise of military influence in Japan during the 1930s.

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Taishō Democracy

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

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Early Shōwa Period

Militarism and aggression from 1926 to 1945.

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Post-War Shōwa Period

Radical changes after WWII, 1945 to 1989.

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Great Kantō Earthquake

1923 disaster that devastated Tokyo and Yokohama.

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League of Nations

International organization where Japan's racial clause failed.

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Washington Conference

Limited naval armaments to prevent arms race.

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Population of Tōkyō

First city to exceed one million residents.

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The Twelve-Stories

Japan's first skyscraper, symbolizing modernization.

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Hokkaidō

Second largest island of Japan.

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Ryūkyū Islands

Region where Okinawans and Ainu faced assimilation.

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Sino-Japanese War

Conflict (1894-95) between China and Japan.

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Treaty of Shimonoseki

Granted Korea independence and control of Taiwan.

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Triple Intervention

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

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Russo-Japanese War

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

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Treaty of Portsmouth

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