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Okayama

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.



Links: Okayama Travel Blogs (41) | Okayama Travel Photos | Map of Okayama | Japan Travel Forum | Okayama Map | Japan Facts | Map of Japan

Areas in Okayama: Kasaokaya | Kurashiki | Okayama | Shiraishi Island | Tamano

53 days ago: bonjourlemonde published a blog
Genki desu.
October 12th 2008  Asia » Japan » Okayama » Okayama
I arrived in Osaka on Friday around 4pm and took the train to the Osaka station where we took the shinkansen to Okayama. There has been a few things that have really impressed me thus far: 1. The var ... [full story]

Country Life
74 days ago: Ratface published a blog
Country Life
September 18th 2008  Asia » Japan » Okayama
There's been a flurry of activity here in Japan, apologies for those who like their updates small and irregular. Because of the way scheduling here works, we rarely get the chance to have prolonged ... 20 photos [full story]

Okayama
106 days ago: Lizzy bits published a blog
Okayama
August 4th 2008  Asia » Japan » Okayama » Okayama
I will always look back at this day and think swelteringly hot. August in Japan is not a good time to do site seeing. The best thing to do during the hot muggy days of summer is to stay inside and wor ... 12 photos [full story]

Okayama 05/06-07/06
165 days ago: Rubenow published a blog
Okayama 05/06-07/06
June 15th 2008  Asia » Japan » Okayama
... ... 19 photos [full story]


Okayama Blog Entries

Momotaro
entering the temple!
flying hi.JPG
Lotuses
Statues
Koraku-en
Okayama Castle
Genki Japanese
Ready to go!
The Hike

Japan

Japan Location


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