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Emergence of Japan
The Allied occupation ended on April 28, 1952, when the terms of the Treaty of San Francisco went into
effect. By the terms of the treaty, Japan regained its sovereignty, but lost
many of its possessions from before World War II, including Okinawa, the Kuril Islands, Sakhalin, and a number of small islands in the Pacific.
The new treaty also gave Japan the freedom to engage in international defense blocs. Japan did this on the same day it signed
the San Francisco Treaty: Yoshida Shigeru and Harry Truman penned a document that allowed the United States Armed Forces to continue their use of
bases in Japan.
Two years later, Japan established its postwar military, the Japan
Self-Defense Forces.
Growth of Japan
In 1964, Japan staged the Olympic games in Tokyo. Many Japanese historians cite this
event as the turning point for Japan following the war: it showcased the country's remarkable economic recovery on an
international stage, and brought attention back to the most developed country in Asia.
Japan's shining new bullet trains gave the country a futuristic look.
In 1965, the Treaty on Basic Relations between Japan and the Republic of
Korea is signed. Sin-Itiro Tomonaga receives the Nobel
Prize in Physics.
In 1968, amid controversy, a nuclear aircraft carrier Enterprise arrived in Sasebo. The itai-itai disease is formally
recognize as a public hazard disease. Ogasawara Islands reverted
back under Japanese control. Kawabata Yasunari received the Nobel
Prize in Literature. Three hundred million Yen was stolen by a man disguised as a policeman and is still on the run as of
2003.
In 1969, the meeting between the prime minister Sato and the president Nixon was held and the date of
return for Okinawa is set on 1972.
Events (1970s)
In 1970 the World Exposition was held in Osaka.
In 1972, Okinawa was repatriated to
Japan.
Events (1980s)
In 1980, Japan's car production tops 10 million cars a year, making Japan the largest
car producer in the world over USA. Yomiuri Giant's Oh Sadaharu ends his career.
In 1981, Kenichi Fukui received
Nobel Prize in Chemistry.
In 1982, the Tohoku
Shinkansen was extended to Morioka from Omiya.
In 1983, Miyakejima's volcano exploded but entire population of the island was successfully evacuated beforehand. In the
Asuka-mura's Kitora Kofun, colored wallpainting of Genmu was discovered. Tanaka Kakuei was sentenced to 4 years in jail.
In 1984, the Guriko company was targeted by the extortionist who threatened to poison
its product for the sum of 60 million yen and later 120 million yen. Before this, the president of Guriko was kidnapped and 10
billion yen and 100 kg of gold was demanded as a ransom before he escaped by himself. New 10,000 yen (Fukuzawa Yukichi on the face), 5,000 yen (Nitobe Inazou), and 1,000 yen
(Natsume Souseki) bills were released.
In 1985, the first AIDS patient is officially recognized. Japan Airlines flight 123 crashed in Omitaka-yama causing
520 deaths and only 4 survivors in one of the largest aircraft related casualty.
In 1986, Mihara-yama exploded.
In 1987, Japanese National Railways was divided into privately owned JRs (Japan Railway) separated by regions. Actor Ishihara Yujiro died.
In 1988, the Seikan Tunnel
connecting Hokkaido with Honshu was completed. A submarine, the Nadashio, clashed with fishing vessel Dai Ichi
Fujimaru.
In 1989, at 6:33 AM on January 7th, the Showa
Emperor died. The following day, Akihito ascended to the throne and the new reign name 'Heisei' was declared. Osamu Tezuka died. A consumption tax was instated amid a large controversy.
Misora Hibari died.
See also: Yanai Shinsaku
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