Tokugawa Ieyasu Wins the Battle of Sekigahara
Tokugawa Ieyasu won the Battle of Sekigahara on October 21, 1600. The victory founded the Tokugawa shogunate, which ruled Japan for over 250 years.
The Meiji Era Begins
On October 23, 1868, the reign name Meiji was adopted in Japan, beginning the era of rapid reform after the fall of the shogunate.
Fusajiro Yamauchi Founds Nintendo in Kyoto
On September 23, 1889, Nintendo was founded in Kyoto by Fusajiro Yamauchi to produce handmade hanafuda playing cards.
The Great Kanto Earthquake Devastates Tokyo and Yokohama
On September 1, 1923, a magnitude 7.9 quake hit Tokyo and Yokohama. Most of the 100,000-plus deaths came from fires, not the shaking.
Japan Signs the Instrument of Surrender Aboard USS Missouri
On September 2, 1945, Japan signed the Instrument of Surrender aboard USS Missouri in Tokyo Bay, formally bringing World War II to an end.
Soichiro Honda Founds the Honda Motor Company
On September 24, 1948, Soichiro Honda founded the Honda Motor Company in Japan with 34 workers and a bicycle engine.
Japan's Shinkansen Begins High-Speed Service
On October 1, 1964, Japan's Tokaido Shinkansen opened between Tokyo and Osaka at 210 km/h.
The Tokyo Olympics Open, the First Games Held in Asia
The Tokyo Olympics opened on October 10, 1964, the first Games held in Asia and the first broadcast live by satellite.
Yasunari Kawabata Wins the Nobel Prize in Literature
Yasunari Kawabata won the Nobel Prize in Literature on October 17, 1968, the first Japanese writer to do so.
China and Japan Sign the Joint Statement Normalising Relations
On September 29, 1972, China and Japan signed a joint statement in Beijing normalising diplomatic relations after 25 years.
Deng Xiaoping Visits Japan
On October 22, 1978, Deng Xiaoping arrived in Tokyo, the first Chinese leader to visit Japan since 1949, for the treaty of peace and friendship.