World War Period (1912-1945)

World War I and II occurred during the reigns of two emperors: the Taisho emperor and the Showa emperor. During this time, Japan expanded significantly in the Pacific. Japan was allied with Britain during World War I, but in World War II it was a member of the Axis. Japan became increasingly militaristic and conquered China and much of Southeast Asia. Japan was also infamous for their attack on Pearl Harbor, which brought America into the war. Japan's empire ended in August of 1945, after America dropped atomic bombs on the cities of Hiroshima and Nagasaki, after which Japan surrendered unconditionally. This led to a brief period of American occupation, in which the Emperor became a figurehead and renounced his godlike status, and Japan was never allowed to have an army for aggressive purposes again.

Locations to Visit Related to the World War Period:

• Yasukuni Shrine
• Hiroshima Peace Memorial Park
• Hiroshima Peace Memorial Museum
• Hiroshima Atomic Bomb Dome
• Nagasaki Atomic Bomb Museum
• Nagasaki Peace Park
• Sanno Shrine
• Nyoko-do Hermitage