Empire of Japan

The Empire of Japan (?????; Dai-Nippon/-Nihon Teikoku) commonly refers to Japan from the Meiji Restoration until the end of World War II. Politically, it covers the period from the enforced establishment of prefectures in place of feudal domains (????; Hai-han Chi-ken) in July 14, 1871, through the expansion of Japan from the Pacific to the Indian Ocean, up until the formal surrender in September 2, 1945, when the Instrument of Surrender was signed. Constitutionally, it refers to the period of November 29, 1890, to May 3, 1947. The names "Japanese Empire" and "Imperial Japan" are commonly known and used, referring to the same entity, though the literal translation of the title in Japanese is the Empire of Great Japan.

Related Topics:
Japan - Meiji Restoration - World War II - July 14 - 1871 - September 2 - 1945 - Instrument of Surrender - November 29 - 1890 - May 3 - 1947

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The country had been called the Empire of Japan since the feudal anti-shogunate domains, Satsuma and Ch?sh?, formed the base of their new government in the Meiji Restoration, with the intention of making it an empire.

Related Topics:
Satsuma - Ch?sh? - Meiji Restoration

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Although it was in the 1889 Constitution of the Empire of Japan that the title Empire of Japan was officially used for the first time, it was not until 1936 that the proper official title of the country was legalized. Meanwhile, the names "Nippon" (??; Japan), "Dai-Nippon" (???; Great Japan), "Dai-Nippon/-Nihon Koku" (????; Nation of Great Japan), "Nihon Teikoku" (????; Empire of Japan) were all used officially.

Related Topics:
1889 - Constitution of the Empire of Japan - 1936

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In 1946, a year after the close of the war, Japan was restructured, and the country's title was once again revised, to ?The State of Japan? (???; Nihon Koku) in the draft in the 1946 Constitution of Japan.

Related Topics:
1946 - The State of Japan - Constitution of Japan

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