About 40 thousand years ago, Homo sapiens moves to Japan.

Because of the cold weather, the Sea level is 100m to 120m lower than it is today and animals and human being are moved from the continent.

Due to climate warming, Sea level rises and the Japanese archipelago is shaped as it is today

Potteries decorated with raised lines are used in the large area from Kyushu to Tohoku region.

Colonies in which pit dwellings or pits are created collectively appeared.

In eastern Japan, the number of settlements is increased, those scales are expanded and circular settlements with pits and pit dwellings surrounding the central square begin to be created.

Potteries become bigger.

The climate becomes close to the one today and the coastline becomes the one today. Big colonies are disappeared and small colonies are increased.

“Kamegaoka culture” which are characterized by Shakokidogu (goggle-eyed clay figurines) and potteries with splendid decorations is spread around the north Tohoku region and influences the regions from Hokkaido to Kyushu or Okinawa.

Authentic rice-paddy cultivations using waterways or weirs controlling water flow are started in northern Kyushu.

Ironware and bronzeware are brought from the continent to northern Kyushu.

The creations of ironware as tools or weapons and bronzeware as burial goods or ceremonial tools used in spiritual rites are spread.

In 57, Wanonano-kokuo sends the envoy to the Later Han Dynasty and receives Inju (seal) from Emperor Kobu.

Large-scale funkyubo (grave mound) begin to be built mainly in western Japan.

In 239, Himiko of Yamatai-koku kingdom sends the envoy to Wei.

"Zenpo-koen-fun" (keyhole-shaped tumuli) appear in Nara Basin or so on. They are spread from the southern Kyushu to the middle of Tohoku region in the initial Kofun period.

In the end of 4C., harness is brought in the northern part of Kyushu and the custom of horseback riding begins to spread gradually.

A system of clans and hereditary titles by Yamato government is established in between 5C. to 6C..

In 526, Emperor Keitai who is enthroned in 513 goes to Yamato and establishes the capital at Iware (Sakurai City, Nara Prefecture).

In 538/552, Buddha statues and scriptures are sent from the king of Paekche, Seimeio. This is the official introduction of Buddhism.

In 587, Soga-no Umako and Prince Shotoku kill Mononobe-no Moriya, and Soga clan becomes the center of politics.

In 588, Japan’s first full-scale temple Hoko-ji (also called as Asuka-dera) begins to be built by Soga-no Umako and completes in 596.

In 592, Empress Suiko is enthroned as the first woman who becomes an emperor in Japan.

In 600, the envoys are sent to Sui dynasty China as a direct diplomacy after about 120 years.

In 603, Kani-juni-kai (twelve cap rank system) is established and the next year, the Seventeen Article Constitution is established. A calendar day is used for the first time.

In 630, the envoys are sent to Tang dynasty China.

670, the first nationwide family registration system “Kogo-nenjaku” is established.

In 701, the first legal code in japan called Taiho code is completed.

In 710, the capital is relocated to Heijo-kyo.

In 712, the first and oldest history book in japan, the Kojiki, is completed.

In 720, a chronicle, the Nihon Shoki, is completed.

In 743, Konden-einen-shizai Law which allowed permanent ownership of newly cultivated land is issued.

In 752, the Kaigen-kuyo ceremony for the Daibutsu at Todai-ji temple is held.

In around the late 8C., the oldest existing poetic anthology of waka (Japanese poetry), the Manyoshu, is completed.

In 794, the capital is relocated to Heian-kyo.

In 805, Tendai tradition is founded by Saicho.

In 806, Shingon tradition is founded by Kukai.

In 894, sending envoys to Tang dynasty China is stopped.

In 905, the first poetic anthology of waka (Japanese poetry) by the Imperial command, the "Kokin-wakashu", is completed.

Around this time, a literature of tale, the "Ise-monogatari" (The Tales of Ise), is completed.

Bushi (warriors) appears.

From the late 10C., the private trades with Song dynasty become active.

The taxation system is converted from an individual tax imposition system to a land tax imposition system.

The heyday of the sekkan-seiji (regency politics) by Fujiwara family.

In the cultural aspect, Japanese-style is established from Chinese-style.

The literature by female author like "Makurano-soshi" (The Pillow Book, around 1008, by Seshonagon) or "Genji-monogatari" (The Tale of Genji, around 1008, by Murasaki-shikibu) is completed.

After 170 years, the direct imperial rule without Fujiwara families is conducted.

After the Hogen Disturbance in 1156 and the Heiji Disturbance in 1159, in 1167, Taira-no Kiyomori becomes Dajo-daijin (Grand Minister) and takes firm control.

Around the late Heian period, the culture of ordinary people, such as Imayo, Sarugaku or Dengaku (all are Japanese traditional performance art with music and dance), is absorbed in the imperial court and the lifestyle of ordinary people is drawn on emakimono (picture scroll).

In 1179, Cloistered Emperor Goshirakawa is confined by Kiyomori. On the next year, the Battle of Genpei brakes out and Taira family is destroyed in the Battle of Dannoura in 1185.

In 1185, Minamoto-no Yoritomo sets up Shugo and Jito (military governor and land steward).

After the death of Yoritomo in 1199, the Hojo family, the family of his widow Masako, rules as Shikken (regent).

In 1205, a poetic anthology of waka (Japanese poetry) by the Imperial command, the “Shin-kokin-wakashu”, is completed by Fujiwara-no Teika and others.

In 1219, the third shogun, Sanetomo, is murdered and Yoritomo’s lineage is extinguished. Fujiwara-no Yoritsune becomes the 4th shogun, but the real power is on Hojo Masako who is called as “Ama-shogun” (nun shogun).

Around the end of the Initial Kamakura period, “Heike-monogatari” is completed.

In 1221, the retired Emperor Gotoba orders the subjugation of Hojo Yoshitoki; but by the leadership of Hojo Masako, almost all bushi (warriors) in Kanto region are on the shogunate side and Gotoba’s side is defeated. This is known as the Jokyu Disturbance. After that, three retired Emperors are banished and the shogunate has advantage over the court.

In 1224, Shinran founds the Jodo-shin-shu sect of Buddhism.

In 1227, Dogen comes back from Song dynasty and founds Soto-shu sect.

In the Kamakura period, the agricultural productivity is improved by double cropping or so on. The handicraft, finance and distribution have also developed.

Go, Shogi, Dengaku or Sarugaku have become popular and the life-style of bushi (warriors) or commoners has changed.

In 1274 and 1281, the Mongols of the Kublai Khan administration attack Japan but retreat.

From 1322 to 1328, the shogunate army is sent to suppress the uprising by Emishi who live in the northern Japan and the internal conflict of Ando family who is in charge of the governance by Hojo family.

Not only the imperial court but also the shogunate bushi (warriors) rebel against the Hojo family who keeps the power. In 1333, the Kamakura shogunate is ended by powerful shogunate bushi Ashikaga Takauji or Nitta Yoshisada.

In 1333, Emperor Godaigo conducts direct imperial rule (Kenmu Restoration) in Kyoto.

In 1336, Ashikaga Takauji founds Muromachi shogunate in Kyoto and Emperor Godaigo escapes to Yoshino, the beginning of the Nanboku (northern and southern courts) period.

In 1391, the 3rd shogun, Ashikaga Yoshimitsu declines powerful Shugo (military governor), establishes the shogunate authority and unites the courts in the next year.

In 1398, Kinkaku-ji temple is constructed by Yoshimitsu.

In 1461, 80 thousand people starve to death only at the center of the capital, Kyoto, due to a severe famine.

In 1467, by the conflict over the post of shogun and the power struggle by Daimyo (regional rulers), Kyoto is burned by the war which continues 11 years across the nation.

In 1489, Ginkaku-ji temple is constructed by the 8th shogun, Yoshimasa.

In 1549, the Spaniard Francis Xavier who is a priest of the Society of Jesus (the Jesuits) introduces Christianity and Christian Daimyo (regional rulers) appear mainly in Kyushu and Kinki regions.

In 1573, Oda Nobunaga expels the shogun, Ashikaga Yoshiaki and the Muromachi shogunate is ended.

In 1582, Oda Nobunaga is killed in the Honnoji Incident.

In 1590, Toyotomi Hideyoshi destroys Hojo family in the Battle of Odawara Castle and unifies the country.

In 1600, in the Battle of Sekigahara, the east alliance mainly by Tokugawa Ieyasu defeats the west alliance mainly by Ishida Mitsunari.

In 1603, Tokugawa shogunate is founded.

In 1617, Nikko Toshogu Shrine is built and Ieyasu who dies the previous year is enshrined as “Tosho-daigongen”.

In 1635, the system of sankin-kotai (alternate residence in Edo, Tokyo now) is required.

In 1637, Christian peasants suffered from the oppression of the lord take uprising in Shimabara.

In 1657, 60% of Edo including Edo Castle is destroyed by the Meireki Fire.

From 1671 to 1672, east and west shipping routes are developed.

From the late 17C. to the begging of 18C., the culture of chonin (townspeople) in Kansai region is flourished.

In the late 18C., the culture centered on bushi (warriors) and upper townspeople in Edo (Tokyo) is flourished. (In 1765, ukiyo-e with multiple colors begins to be produced.)

From 1782 to 1787, due to cold weather and flood damage, Tenmei Famine is occurred and more than 900 thousand people are killed mainly in Kanto and Tohoku regions.

While learning becomes popular, in 1790, the shogunate bans to teach other academic school than Neo-Confucianism to control education and tightens private publishing to control political criticism.

Mainly from 1804 to 1830, the culture by townspeople, such as kabuki, ukiyo-e, yomihon, senryu or travel, reaches its maturity and Kokugaku (National Learing) and Rangaku (Dutch Studies) are flourished.

Following the year before, in 1854, U.S. Commodore Perry arrives in Japan. Japan and U.S. sign the Treaty of Peace and Amity and Japan opens Shimoda and Hakodate ports. After that, Japan concludes treaties with the British, Russia and the Dutch.

In 1858, without imperial approval, the shogunate strongman, Ii Naosuke, signs the Treaty of Amity and Commerce between Japan and U.S which includes the opening of Kanagawa, Nagasaki, Niigata, Hyogo and Hakodate ports and free trade.

Ii Naosuke oppresses the opposing Joi (defeat foreign invasion) group. In 1860, Ii is assassinated.

To avoid the movement of attacking the shogunate, it promotes Kobu-gattai (unification of the imperial court and the shogunate). But in 1866, the Satsuma and Choshu Domains which are in conflict form an alliance and the movement is accelerated.

In Oct. 1867, the shogunate returns the regime to the imperial court at Nijo Castle.

In Jan. 1868, the former shogunate army marches to Kyoto and the Boshin War begins (-May 1869). In Apr., Edo Castle is surrendered. In Jul., Edo is renamed as Tokyo. In Sept., the name of era is changed as Meiji.

In 1871, domains are dissolved and prefectures are established. Sanpatsu-datto-rei which encourages to cut chonmage (topknots) and allows not to wear swords is declared. The government sends a full-scale mission, Iwakura Mission to the West (-1873).

In 1872, the first railway is opened from Shinbashi to Yokohama. Tomioka Silk Mill is opened. Museum of Ministry of Education (Tokyo National Museum, now) is opened.

In 1874, the movement for liberty and people’s rights becomes active.

In 1885, the cabinet system is inaugurated (the first Prime Minister is Ito Hirobumi).

In 1889, the Constitution of the Empire of Japan is promulgated and enforced in the next year.

In 1890, the first general election of the House of Representatives and the first session of the Imperial Diet are held.

In 1894, the Anglo-Japanese Treaty of Commerce and Navigation is signed; the extraterritoriality of the Western powers is abolished, the tariff autonomy is recovered and the unequal treaty since the end of Edo period is dissolved. Sino-Japanese War begins (-1895).

In 1900, the 5th Expo is held in Paris. Japanese art boom is in Europe and America from the late 19C. to around 1910s.

In 1904, Russo-Japanese War begins (-1905). The first department store Mitsukoshi opens.

Due to World War I from 1914, Japan gets economic prosperity from 1915 to 1918.

In 1919, in the modernization after the Meiji period, to protect historic sites, scenic spots and natural monuments, a law is implemented.

In 1920, Japan joins in the League of Nations. The number of workers, including office workers, is increased rapidly and the first May Day is held. Around this time, urbanization also progresses rapidly.

In 1921, Washington Conference is held.

In 1925, radio broadcasting starts. To regulate social movements, the Peace Preservation Law is established.

1927: Financial crisis, Japan’s first subway opens; Asakusa-Ueno

1928: Universal suffrage for men

1930: Showa Depression (1929: Global Depression)

1931: Haneda Airport opens

1934: the first designation of National Park; Seto-naikai, Unzen, Kirishima

1937: the beginning of Sino-Japanese War

1941: the beginning of Pacific War -1945

1945: U.S. Army landed in Okinawa, Dropping of atomic bombs on Hiroshima and Nagasaki, Japan accepted Potsdam Declaration

1946: Promulgation of the Constitution of Japan

1947: Cold War manifestation

1949: Dodge Line; single exchange rate, Yukawa Hideki received the Nobel Prize in Physics

1950: the beginning of Korean War -1953

1951: San Francisco Peace Treaty signed, “Rashomon” by Akira Kurosawa won the Golden Lion award at the Venice International Film Festival and received the Academy Honorary Award which is the International Feature Film award now in the following year

1953: NHK started first TV broadcast in Japan

1954: Bikini Atoll hydrogen bomb test; Lucky Dragon Incident, Self Defense Forces established, Movie “Godzilla” released

1955: High economic growth -1973

1958: Tokyo Tower completed

1960: Japan-US Mutual Cooperation and Security Treaty signed

1961: the beginning of Vietnam War -1973

1964: Tokyo Olympic Games

1966: Beatles visited Japan. The first commercial nuclear power plant in japan, Tokai-hatsudensho, began its operation.

1968: Kawabata Yasunari received Nobel Prize in Literature

1971: the first store of McDonald’s in Japan opened, Cup Noodle launched, $1=\308

1972: Reversion of Okinawa

1973: the beginning of floating exchange rate, Oil crisis, Overseas travel boom

1978: the opening of Narita International Airport, China-Japan Peace and Friendship Treaty signed

1983: Tokyo Disneyland opened, Nintendo Family Computer launched

1985: EXPO '85 in Tsukuba, the Plaza Accord