Civilization of Asia: Japan (Final)

Sekigahara 关原

- 1600; early EDO - A decisive battle was fought in Sekigahara between Tokugawa and Ishida. It end with Tokugawa's victory. As a consequence, the last shogunate government of Tokugawa was established.

Yamagata Aritomo 山孙有朋

- 1838 to 1922 - A military official and prime minister of Japanese Empire during Meiji and early Taisho period. - Yamagata is famous for his "blood tax", which is a universal conscription into a military utterly loyal to the emperor, enhancing militarization under Meiji reform. He is also responsible for invasion in Korea prior to Qing army intervene.

Charter Oath 五条御誓文

- 1868 - Meiji emperor outlined the main aims and course of action to be followed during the reign, setting the legal stage for Japan's modernization. -Laid out the basic framework for the new regime. The oath reflects Meiji's determination to study advanced technology and idea, enhancing state power, and make Japan independent.

Iwakura Mission 岩仓使节团

- 1871 to 1873 Meiji - A Japanese diplomatic voyage to US and Europe between 1871 to 1873. - The Iwakura Mission reflects the sheer determination of the Japanese to utilize western culture and institutions to reform Japan. Members of the voyage were impressed by the industrialized technology and modern idea in the west, embracing it and bringing those back to Japan.

Meiji Constitution 明治宪法

- 1889 Meiji - The first modern constitution in Japanese history, which a creation of the first centralized modern state in East Asia. -It marks the determination of Japanese reform under Meiji government. Despite pushing by the Popular Right Movements, the Constitution was built on a different foundation and it reflect the second wave of Meiji Reform. Unlike western constitution, Meiji Constitution was viewed as the gift from emperor among Japanese people rather than law and rights.

Imperial Rescript on Education 教育敕语

- 1890 Meiji

1st Sino-Japanese War 甲午战争

- 1894 to 1895 - A War between Qing and Japan in the late 19th century - The war end with Japanese victory, and China lost its authority among East Asia. Qing was forced to recognize the status of Korea as an independent state, ceding Liaodong Peninsula, Taiwan to Japan, and open several port to Japanese merchants, which is also known as the treaty of Shimonoseki.

Triple Intervention 三国干涉

- 1895 - Britain, Germany, Russia force Japan to return Liaodong Peninsula to Qing - The treaty of Shimonoseki request Qing cede Liaodong Peninsula to Japan, but soon Britain, Germany, and Russia intervene and force Japan to cancel this request, and Japan follow. This intervention could be explained in two ways. First, European powers may not want Japan to take much interests in China because they need it. Second, European powers worry about the idea of "Yellow Peril", which European think Asian is Evil to their culture, religious, and value. As a consequence, it make Japan increasingly desire for being powerful, which eventually start the Russo-Japanese War.

Showa Emperor 昭和

- 1901 to 1989 - 124th emperor in Japanese history - He was criticized for permission to invade other countries during WWII, but some historian also indicate that emperor has his responsibility to support the government. Overall, he was not purged after the WWII. The post-war constitution make emperor become a symbol of Japan, and start the constitutional monarchy in Japan.

21 Demands 二十一条

- 1915 - An unequal treaty by Imperial Japan against China - During Yuan's domination in China, Japan proposed its 21 Demands, which request China to grant Japan high light of authority including military action, intervention, and economic interests in Chinese territory. This request devastated Chinese interests, but the government was forced to accept most of it.

Hara Kei (Takashi) 原敬

- 1920 - A Japanese politician - Consolidate the first effective party government in Japanese history. He is military background but also care about economy. He deployed the military to suppress a steel worker's strike, and earned admiration from old military hands as Yamagata Aritomo. He was killed in 1921.

-2nd Sino-Japanese War 抗日战争

- 1931, 1937, end in 1945 - Asian part of WWII - The 2nd Sino-Japanese War is part of WWII in the Asian battlefield. The origin of the war could be considered as the Manchurian Incident in 1931, but Republic of China officially declare war at Japan in 1937 after the Marco Polo Bridge Incident. Japan took half of Chinese territory during war, and it end after Soviet invasion and US drop two atomic bomb.

2-26 Incidient

- 1936 - A attempted coup by army - The goal is to purge the government and military leader of opposite faction, but failed.

1946 Constitution

- 1946 - A constitution of post-war Japan - The constitution was drafted by the occupation command, or known as the SCAP / GHQ. The Constitutional Monarchy is formally adopted by the government of Japan. Emperor has become a symbol, and parliamentary system was introduced

Article Nine 宪法第九条

- 1947 - A clause in the Constitution of Japan as the consequence of starting war against peace and humanity. - Japan has no rights to start war and armed force with war potential. However, Japan maintain the Self-Defense Force. Technically, it is not an army but a force aims on maintaining peace and UN operation, but the government of Japan uses the force against China and Korea in disputes area, and try to modify the article 9.

Yasukuni 靖国神社

- 1978 - A Shinto shrine located in Tokyo by Emperor Meiji, to serve those death who sacrifice for the country - Fourteen "Class A" war criminals interred at the shrine, which generate a huge discussion between Japan, China, and Korea until today.

Shogunate (Bakufu) 幕府

- Kamakura to Edo/Tokugawa -A political system run by military dictator in Japanese history -The first Shogunate system was established under Kamakura bakufu, and it had lasted for hundreds years until Meiji reform

Popular Rights Movement 民权运动

- Meiji - A political movement for democracy in the 1880s - Early in the Meiji years, many ex-samurai and wealthy peasants, disillusioned at the direction of Meiji economic and political reform, start the movement, aims on building individual liberty and natural rights. Deeply, the cause of the movement is the reform compromise those people of high social status or wealthy.

Zaibatsu 财阀

- Start in Meiji - Industrial and financial business conglomerates in the Japanese Empire -It start within the Meiji period, which prison labor work for mine. Zaibatsu in Japan had various of production including both civilian and military.

Taisho Democracy 大正民主

- Taisho - A period with liberal movement after Meiji and before Showa - Hara Kei has played a major role in Taisho Democracy, he is the person first consolidate party government in Japan, and this is attempt to establish a parliamentary system in Japanese history.

Townsend Harris 汤森哈里斯

-1804 to 1878 -A successful merchant and minor politician in New York City. -He negotiated the "Harris Treaty" between US and Japan during Edo period

US & Japan

-1853 Perry -1895 1st Sino-Japanese War -Russo-Japanese War -Washington Conference & 5 power treaty -WWII -Occupation -Korean War

Yokohama Gold Rush

-1859

Satsuma Rebellion 西南战争

-1877 Meiji -The last Civil War under Meiji reform -The rebellion was held by unemployed samurai and reformed government. It end with the dramatic ritual suicide of Saigo Takamori, and farmer riots in the countryside finally began to subside, but poverty problem lingered.

Matsukata Deflation 松方经济改革

-1881; After Edo -A economic reform policy but actually ravaged many rural communities and cause protest. -Industrialization and declining price crush people in rural area, and the government refuse to listen to their voice. As a result, the Chichibu Uprising started and people form the Poor People's Party in order to force the government consider their situation and give a moratorium on debt collecting.

Kishi Nobusuke 岸信介

-1896 to 1987 - Vice-Minister in Manchukuo government, Minister in Japanese cabinet, Japanese Prime Minister 1957 to 1960 -He is depurged after WWII, and joins liberal in 1953. Forms the democratic party in 1954. He was called "Showa Yaokai" lately.

Russo-Japanese War 日俄战争

-1904 to 1905 -A war between Imperial Japan and Russia, taken place in Korean peninsula and Manchuria -The war started because Russia and Japan had their conflict for interests in Manchuria, and Japan first start the war against Russia. Almost all of major powers think Russia will easily defeat Japan, but the war end with opposite consequence. Japan control the south part of Manchuria while Russia control the north at last.

South Manchuria Railway 南满铁路

-1906 -A system of railway held by Japanese Empire in South Manchuria as a consequence of Russo-Japanese Way. -It is Japanese monopoly of railway in the South Manchuria, it become the major transportation system for natural resource and electrical equipment within Japanese imperialism. In 1931, it become an excuse for Japan to start its invasion, known as Manchuria incident.

Kwantung Army 关东军

-1919 to 1945 -A Japanese imperial army settled in Manchuria -The Kwantung Army was established after Japan control south Manchuria (defeating Russia). The early goal of the army is to protect the railroad and Japanese interests in Chinese territory, but it later become the Japanese colonial force to maintain its imperial domination in Manchuria, and it was directly responsible for the Manchuria incident. The army ended after Soviet Invasion in 1945.

Kanto Earthquake 1923 关东地震

-1923 -The most serious natural disaster during Japanese empire -The earthquake badly damage the entire Kanto area. Economically, the earth quake turned much of Tokyo into rubble and ashes, and following banking crisis increasingly devastate the economy. Politically, the aftermath of the earthquake encourage the violence against communist movement and "Koreans", and government remain silence for those violence.

Manchurian Incident 九一八事变

-1931 -A military event in 1931, which Japanese army invade Manchuria and took it from China. -Japan uses Chinese army destroying one of their railroads as an excuse and start the invasion and took Shenyang. The power of Cabinet of Japan dropped after the incident, and more people support the military government. The League of Nations define Japan as an aggressor in Manchuria, and Japan therefore quit the League.

Marco Polo Bridge Incident 卢沟桥事变

-1937 -A military conflict between China and Japan in Beijing, which marks the beginning of the second Sino-Japanese War. -Japanese army announced that one solider was lost and request to search in Wanping Fortress, which is owned by Chinese army. Chinese army rejects Japan's request, and then Japan starts to attack. The battle end with Japanese victory, but the Republic of China officially declare war with Japan and collaborate with the Communist Party after this incident.

Pearl Harbor 珍珠港

-1942.12.7 -A surprise military strike by Imperial Japanese Navy against US naval base at Pearl Harbor. -The attack on Pearl Harbor destroy a U.S fleet in Pacific, and Japan won its tactical victory, but it also cause US to enter the war.

SCAP / GHQ 驻日盟军司令部

-1945 to 1952 -Supreme commander for the Allied Powers was the tile held by General MacArthur during Allied occupation of Japan after the WWII. -The sovereignty of Japan was taken by the SCAP as the consequence of Japanese defeat in WWII, and this title was only held by General MacArthur. The SCAP wrote draft a Constitution for Japan. SCAP also had granted labor unions a relatively long leash, finding them a useful club with which to coerce a Japanese government keenly anxious about the spread of communism, and later on SCAP started cracking down on the union by cancelling a general railway strike.

US occupation of Japan 占领日本

-1945 to 1952 -US military occupation in Japan after WWII until 1952 (Treaty of San Francisco) -The occupation was led by US, with British support, and USSR allow to not intervene. The occupation marks the end of a centralized regime in Japan, and starts a parliamentary system with constitutional monarchy.

Nagasaki 长崎

-1945.8.9 -A city located in west Kyushu (north west Japan) -A strategic city in Japan. Once the major base for Japanese navy during the First Sino-Japanese War and Russo-Japanese War, also one of the most important trade point in Japan. At the last moment of the WWII, Nagasaki is the second strike target of U.S atomic bomb, which directly cause the surrender of the Japanese empire.

MITI 通商产业省

-1949 -Ministry of International Trade and Industry; one of the most powerful agencies of the Government of Japan. -It effectively ran much of Japanese industrial policy, funding research and directing investment. It flourish Japanese economy and benefits not only cities like Meiji reform, but also benefits rural area.

Commodore Matthew Perry 马休佩里

-1954 -A Commander of U.S Navy -He is famous for his action in Japan, which force Japan to end its isolation and sign unequal treaty with US. The event become one of the most important motivation for Meiji reform

Liberal Democratic Party 自民党

-1955 -The conservative party in Japan, and governed Japan throughout the era after the WWII, with the exception of eleven months in 1993-4 and 2009-12. -The party at beginning embrace U.S intervention and rejection of restoring military. But it later revised US occupation reforms and pushed for constitutional changes, such as further privatization of the economy.

Miinamata 水俣病

-1956

Sankin Kotai (Alternate Attendance) 参勤交代

-Edo -A system to maintain central control among regional daimyos -In 1635, the 'alternate attendance' policy, or sometimes the 'hostage system', required early modern daimyô to keep residences in Edo, where they spent every other year. When not in Edo, the policy required that they keep wives and eldest sons in the capital as hostages, lest they entertain forming alliances against the Edo bakufu. Walker, Brett L.. A Concise History of Japan (Cambridge Concise Histories) (p. 308). Cambridge University Press. Kindle Edition.

Castle Town 城郭

-Edo/Tokugawa

Changes 1850 to 1890

-Haris Perry 1850 -Harris Treaty: Treaty-port system Politically: Sakuma: Eastern ethics as base, Western technology as means Datsu-A Ron: embrace the west and abandon the east Meiji Constitution by Germany: 1889 Popular Rights Movement: formed by ex-samurai and wealthy peasants; desire for more political rights Socially: Status of women slightly increase; be "good wife" and contribute to the state (take care of family, hard work, household management); school (American suggestion); 1872 debates about women rights (Maria Luz Incident) Economically: industrialization (not the first time over-sea trade); market economy; electrification (Shibasawa; Ito); Zaibtsu

Ito Hirobumi 伊藤博文

-Meiji -One of the most important governance in Meiji Japan -father of the Meiji Constitution, Ito believes the constitution is the gift to the great country rather than law. He once studied with Samurai, and later enter Britain for high level education. Those experience shaped his nationalism as a mix of Japanese culture and western advanced technology. He support the Japanese empire to invade Korea and China, pushing Japan to enter the list of powerful states in the early 20th century.

Treaty-port system 商埠

-Meiji Period -The name given to port cities that were opened to foreign trade by the unequal treaties with the Western powers. -Japan once open several ports to the United States and other European powers. After the Meiji reform, Japanese navy defeat China, and force China to sign the treaty of Shimonosaki, which start Japanese treaty-port system in China.

Reverse Course

-Occupation

Baku-han system 幕藩体制

-Tokugawa -a feudal political system in the Edo period of Japan -Bakufu is the highest political ministration, and han were domins headed by daimyo, who must loyal to the bakufu. A series of policy was made to weaken domins' power and their loyalty, such a alternate attendance.

Unit 731 七三一部队

-WWII -A biological and chemical warfare research, human experimental unit of Japan during WWII -They only do experiment on those people from victim countries, which give a very negative national image of Japanese Empire.

Japanese political & cultural relations with China

Kosugi Genteki (1730 -1791): Chinese anatomic depictions were wrong Zoshi (1759): Empirical observation against Chinese learning. Oshio Heihachiro (1793 - 1837): Wang Yangming thinker in Japan. He believes that there is a major injustice in Japan and they need to act, and he also request Bakufu to return the power to emperor. Sakuma Shozan (1811 - 1864): Eastern ethics as base, Western technology as means Some of domain lords: expel the barbarians Li Naosuke (1815 - 1860): open country strategy ; Harris treaty Datsu-A Ron (1885): Abandon the conservative governments of Qing and Korea, embracing the West. Meiji Constitution: 1889 Imperial Rescript on Education: 1890 1st Sino-Japanese War: 1895 21 Demands: 1915 Manchurian Incident: 1931 2nd Sino-Japanese War: 1937 PRC and Japan: 1972