1894- Japan and China go to war.  With Japans better equipment and more resources, Japans forces win in just about nine months.

1923- With Japan on a national fault line, a 8.2 magnitude Earthquake in Tokyo kills more than 100,00 and injuries more than 90,000.  This raises the national fear level of earthquakes. 

1932- Japan’s prime minister is assassinated by ultra-nationalist terrorists.  The military than holds increasing influences in the country.

1937- Japan goes to war with China, and by the end of the war, Japan had captured Shanghai, Beijing and Nanjing.  Japanese forces then commit atrocities, including the “Rape of Nanjing”, were up to 300,00 Chinese civilians were thought to be murdered.

1941- Japan launches a surprise attack on the US Pacific fleet at Pearl Harbor, Hawaii. Twelve ships were sunken, and nine more were damaged.  Nearly 2,500 people were killed. The US and its main allies then declared war on Japan the following day.

1945- US planes drop bombs, one on Hiroshima and the second on Nagasaki. Emperor Hirohito surrenders and relinquishes his divine status.  Japan is placed under US military government.  All Japanese military and naval forces are then disbanded.

1951- Japan signs a peace treaty with the US and other nations, and then one year later in 1952 Japan regains its independence. 

1995- In January a 7.2 magnitude earthquake hits central Japan, killing thousands of people, causing widespread damage. The city of Kobe was hit the hardest. 

2007- In August the 62^nd anniversary of Japan’s surrender in World War II, and almost the entire cabinet stayed away from the Yasukuni shrine.  Prime Minister Abe said he had no plans to visit the shrine as long as the issue continues to be a diplomatic problem. 

2011- On March 11, 2011 a 9.0 magnitude earthquake hit of the coast of Japan causing a huge nuclear reactor melt down and more than 14,000 deaths and more that 13,000 people missing.  The reactor spewed radioactive chemical into the atmosphere creating huge risks for the world.