soc sci

• NIPON / NIHON


  A Japanese word which means "Land of the Rising Sun"
• Capital City: Tokyo
• Government Type: Parliamentary Constitutional Monarchy
• Etymology: English word for Japan

  Comes via the Chinese name for the country "Cipangu"; both Nihon and Nippon mean "where the sun originates" and are frequently translated as "Land of the Rising Sun"
• The flag of JAPAN


  • A rectangular white banner bearing a crimson-red disc at its center
  • The circle represents the sun and it is called HINOMARU (circle of the sun)
• In English (Land of the rising sun)
• Japan in Isolation


  • Enjoyed a long period of peace under the leadership of Tokugawa Shogunate
  • With almost no contact with the rest of the world
  • Shogunate was able to establish a political system and society. However, they continued trading with the Chinese and the Dutch
• Tokugawa Shogunate


  • 1600-1868
  • Also know as Bakufu
  • Last feudal Japanese Military government
  • Shogun-Head of the government
• The United States Opened Japan

  1. Commodore Matthew Perry sailed to "Edo", now Tokyo

  2. Brought a message from the US President Millard Fillmore

  3. Request for the opening of the Japanese ports to foreign trade

  4. In 1854, he came back with a large fleet for the reply of the Shogunate
• Treaty of Kanagawa


  • Signed in 1854
  • Opened two ports where American ships could take on supplies
  • Allowed the United Sates to set up an embassy in Japan
  • By 1860, Japan granted foreigners permission to trade at their treaty ports
• When US set foot in the Japanese door, other western powers soon followed
• Meiji Reign


  • Prince Mutsuhito established a new government
  • He named his rule "Meiji" means "enlightened rule"
  • Took over the reign of the government at the age of 15
  • Ruled for 45 years
  • Transformed Japan into a powerful state
• Best way to oppose western imperialism is to adopt new ways
• Meiji Government


  1. Emperor sent statesman under the leadership of Tomomi Iwakura to Europe and North America to study foreign ways

  2. They patterned their constitution and strong centralized government – Germany

  3. Imitated the discipline of the German army and the skill of the British navy

  4. Adopted the American system of universal public education and required all Japanese children to go attend school