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Background: 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.




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November 24th 2009  Asia » Japan » Kyoto » Kyoto » Gion
Where can you find all these wonderful things KYOTO!! So even after my crazy bicycle journey yesterday there was still so much of Kyoto to see! It is such a contrast to Tokyo really beau ... [full story]

180 days ago: Miss Chris published a blog
Kyoto
May 29th 2009  Asia » Japan » Kyoto » Kyoto » Gion
Wow, we just got to spend the entire day with my friend Yayoi and at one of my favorite places in the world, the Temple of the Golden Pavillion. Yayoi got here by 8a.m. and we went to breakfast near ... [full story]


Gion Blog Entries


PB060711
Another Geisha!
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Geisha - they sound like cats
Geisha stalking!
Blossom out in Palace grounds
Khmer God-King
Miho Museum entrance
Heian Temple, Kyoto
kiyomizu temple Kyoto
Nishi Honganji Temple
The Shrine that Started it All

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Japan Travel Forum
flight tickets from Sydney to Osaka
Japan in March! What to do?
Next destination to Japan
Sakura Trail in Japan
Planning long term stay in Japan
14th July, 2009 Tokyo
JAPAN in two weeks, which cities and how to get there ?
How to travel japan?
Trecking in Japan
volunteering on Japanese Farms
JR passes and the subway
Hello Kitty fan
Last day in Japan
Narita Airport - meeting spot
Does anyone know of any cheap flights to Japan






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