1894-95

First Sino-Japanese War breaks out for control of Korea. More modern Japanese army wins easy victory over Chinese forces. Marks beginning of Japan as an imperial power.

1904-05

Russo-Japanese War. Japan attacks Russia in dispute over dominance of Korea and Manchuria. Japanese forces win several victories against Russia. War ended by Treaty of Portsmouth, which recognizes Japan as world power. U.S. President Theodore Roosevelt agrees to let Japan control Korea in return for greater American access to the Philippines.

1910

Japan formally annexes Korea.

1914-18

Japan joins the Allied powers, playing minor role in First World War by fighting German forces in east Asia.

1923

The Great Kanto Earthquake destroys much of Tokyo and Yokohama. Fires sweep through much of Tokyo. At least 143,000 are killed.

1924

U.S. Congress passes the Exclusion Act, which prohibits Japanese citizens from immigrating to the U.S.

1926

Hirohito ascends to the throne.

1930s

Japanese militarism and nationalism grow. Military extends control over government.

1931

Japan invades Manchuria and sets up puppet state. When League of Nations objects, Japan withdraws from organization in 1933.

1932

Military extremists blamed for assassination of Prime Minister Inukai.

1937

Second Sino-Japanese War starts. Japan invades China's northern provinces and eventually occupies much of China's coastal regions. Japanese forces commit atrocities on Chinese population, especially during fall of Nanjing, where a puppet Chinese government was installed in 1940. Historians estimate at least 250,000 are killed.

1940

Japan signs military alliance with Germany and Italy and sends troops to Indochina. Japanese military assumes complete control when Gen. Hideki Tojo succeeds civilian as prime minister in October 1941.

Dec. 7, 1941

Japanese forces bomb U.S. naval base at Pearl Harbor, Hawaii. U.S. declares war on Japan the following day. Japanese forces make major inroads in the Pacific theatre over the next year before Allied forces manage to win several key victories.

July 27, 1945

At Potsdam Conference, Allies demand Japan surrender unconditionally. Japan refuses.

Aug. 6, 1945

A tall column of smoke billows above Hiroshima after the first atomic bomb strike by American forces on Aug. 6, 1945. (AP/USAF)

U.S. drops atom bomb on Hiroshima. At least 64,000 are killed. Three days later, a second bomb is dropped on Nagasaki, killing at least 39,000. Japan surrenders unconditionally on Aug. 14.

1946-52

Post-war Japan is occupied by the Allied powers, which demilitarize the country and supervise return of all territories seized by Japan. Democratic government is restored, and a new constitution is signed in 1946. Many of Japan's wartime military leaders are executed in 1948 following war crimes trials.

1952

Japan regains independence. U.S. is permitted to station troops in country. The 1950s see Japan sign several peace treaties with Pacific Rim countries. Its economy expands. The Liberal Democratic party is formed and remains dominant force in Japanese politics to this day.

1964

Tokyo plays host to Olympic Games.

1970

Expo '70 takes place in Osaka.

1972

Normalization of relations with China.

1973

Japan's economic progress stumbles with oil embargo. Inflation hits 19 per cent and price freezes are imposed. Economic focus shifts to high technology.

1976-90

Japanese firms invest heavily in other countries; Japan becomes world's most successful exporter, as government and industry work together to promote economic growth and development. Country generates huge trade surpluses and dominates electronics, computing and automobile production. Trading partners increasingly complain of Japanese protectionism.

Jan. 16, 1989

Emperor Hirohito dies. His son, Prince Akihito, becomes emperor.

1990

Economic bubble bursts as Japanese banks face rising tide of bad loans. Japanese stock market loses 38 per cent of value and land prices drop from speculative peaks. Recession hits.

Jan. 17, 1995

Great Hanshin Earthquake hits the city of Kobe, killing at least 6,000 people.

1997-2000

Economic recession worsens following bankruptcy of several financial institutions, tighter lending policies and Asian financial crisis. Japan endures negative growth in 1998. Stock market begins to recover by 2000, but unemployment still reaches post-war high of 5.4 per cent in 2001.

2005

Japan outrages China by approving school textbooks that gloss over Nanjing massacre as an "incident." China allows several anti-Japan protests. Japan says dispute could threaten trade. China had become Japan's biggest trading partner in 2004. But it's an uneasy alliance as the two countries are also economic rivals. Japan may be the world's second-biggest economy, but it's looking over its shoulder at China's "economic miracle" and knows that it faces an increasingly formidable competitor – and one with a long memory.