In 1603, a Tokugawa shogunate (military dictatorship) ushered in a long period of isolation from foreign influence in order to secure its power. For 250 years this policy enabled Japan to enjoy stability and a flowering of its indigenous culture. Following the Treaty of Kanagawa with the United States in 1854, Japan opened its ports and began to intensively modernize and industrialize. During the late 19th and early 20th centuries, Japan became a regional power that was able to defeat the forces of both China and Russia. It occupied Korea, Formosa (Taiwan), and southern Sakhalin Island. In 1933 Japan occupied Manchuria and in 1937 it launched a full-scale invasion of China. Japan attacked US forces in 1941 - triggering America's entry into World War II - and soon occupied much of East and Southeast Asia. After its defeat in World War II, Japan recovered to become an economic power and a staunch ally of the US. While the emperor retains his throne as a symbol of national unity, actual power rests in networks of powerful politicians, bureaucrats, and business executives. The economy experienced a major slowdown starting in the 1990s following three decades of unprecedented growth, but Japan still remains a major economic power, both in Asia and globally. In 2005, Japan began a two-year term as a non-permanent member of the UN Security Council. To be updated
July 24th 2008Asia » Japan » Tokyo » Roppongi Crazy week so far. Tuesday we had 9 bathroom accidents... yes 9! Then Tuesday night Haley and I went to Hardy Barracks an Army base near work. Only thing there was a little store that is run by the sa ... 8 photos[full story]
July 24th 2008Asia » Japan » Tokyo Er was gisteren een zware aardbeving in het noorden van Japan die wij tot hier konden voelen. Om even onze ouders gerust te stellen er is hier niets aan de hand in Tokyo. Wij hebben hem wel goed gevoe ... [full story]
July 23rd 2008Asia » Japan » Tokyo Onze derde dag was mooi gepland maar liep echter heel anders. Wij begonnen heel wat problemen te hebben met onze weg te vinden naar de dingen die wij wouden zien. Deze problemen zijn vooral te wijten ... 15 photos[full story]
July 24th 2008Asia » Japan » Okinawa Well, our trip has come to an end. It went by really really fast, but time does fly when your having fun! We are about to leave for the airport in about an hour and then its the 25 or so hour flight ... [full story]
July 23rd 2008Asia » Japan » Saitama » Saitama Haha! the gaijin nemisis is back on the radar!!
Sanae's been on holidays for the past week from work, and as I don't have any morning lessons we've been enjoying a sloth-ish life sleeping in until ... 1 photos[full story]
July 23rd 2008Asia » Japan » Tokyo Hier zijn we weer vanuit Tokyo. Wij zijn zaterdag hier veilig aangekomen maar redelijk vermoeid aangezien we een vroege vlucht hadden en net de dag ervoor de grote muur hebben beklomen. Het verschil m ... 14 photos[full story]
July 23rd 2008Asia » Japan » Shizuoka » Mt Fuji Well, I officially conquered Japan by climbing the 3,776 meters of Mount Fuji! Definitely a checkmark off my “To Do Life List”. Ask me now and I would recommend the hike, I think it was t ... 50 photos[full story]
July 21st 2008Asia » Japan » Okinawa Yesterday we rode out to Ikei Island. The beginning of the ride was through the city and was all down hill. Then we rode over the bridge where I did the Ayahashi Tri. Once we got onto the island th ... [full story]
July 19th 2008Asia » Japan » Shiga
Nikky had recently turned 24, a turning point in her life. When people had asked her age in the past, she had always replied with a proud '23', only to be met eith the response 'Aww, that's so you ... 27 photos[full story]
July 21st 2008Asia » Japan » Tokyo My trip in Taipei ended with a bang, a fun night out with Travis and all his pals. We attempted to go to this fancy club called *Luxy* but it was completely empty due to another big party somewhere el ... 4 photos[full story]
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