Modern Historical Events

Yumi Kimura, freelance writer

from the 3/98 paper Ibaraki Report

In the latter half of the 19th century, with the demolishing of the feudal system, Japan started its system of capitalism as well as the modern Imperial line. Movements for the establishment of liberty and civil rights were taking root and thriving in every part of the country. The following is a brief timetable of events since the Meiji Restoration.

  • 1868 The feudal system is abolished and the Meiji government takes power.
  • 1871 The existing feudal domains are done away with and replaced with the modern prefectural system. Ibaraki prefecture is formed from boundaries existing since May of 1845.
  • 1872 Laws to establish the fundamentals of a modernized school system are enacted, with the aim of educating everyone in the nation. Civil rights movements gain momentum, and societies supporting such movements are founded throughout the nation. In the western part of Ibaraki prefecture, there is a thriving transportation of goods over water, allowing for a lively flux of goods and cultures. Production of raw silk for export becomes another strong industry.
  • 1884 The Kabasan incident (加波山事件 or Kabasan Jiken) occurs, wherein an attempt armed revolt against a despotic government in the Kanto region fails. A similar rebellion, the Chichibu incident (秩父事件 or Chichibu Jiken), also occurs in this year.
  • 1894 The Sino-Japanese War begins.
  • 1896 The JR Jōban line is completed and opened to traffic. At the same time, stations marked by lamps also came into use.
  • 1903 The Russo-Japanese War begins.
  • 1923 (September 1st) The Great Kantō Earthquake strikes.
  • 1938 The Japanese invasion and subsequent annexation of the Manchu region of China.
  • 1941 (December 8th) The bombing of Pearl Harbour and the beginning of the Pacific War.
  • 1944 The Ibaraki cities of Hitachi and Mito suffer heavy damage from American aerial bombing raids. One thousand die in Hitachi, and more than 41100 casualties are reported in Mito, and roughly 1600 homes and buildings are destroyed.
  • 1945 (August 15th) An Imperial edict recognizing Japan's defeat is broadcast in Japan. Women's suffrage movements, which began in 1906, finally succeed and resolutions for universal suffrage are passed by voters in general elections in 1945 and 1946.
  • 1946 (November 3rd) The Japanese Constitution is enacted.
  • 1953 (February) NHK sends out its first television broadcast.
  • 1963 (April) IBS (Ibaraki Broadcasting System) begins broadcasting.
  • 1968 (October) Research institutes from all over Japan (particularly Tōkyō begin the move towards becoming a centralized research in city in Tsukuba. One of the first steps is taken by beginning construction on The National Center for Disaster Prevention and Relief.
  • 1969 Kashima Port opens. Ibaraki University is also founded in April of that year.
  • 1974 (April) Tsukuba University is founded.
  • 1985 (February) The worldwide Expo'85 is held in Tsukuba.
  • 1989 (February) 16 million year old fossilized teeth are discovered near Ōmiya-Machi.
  • 2002 (June) Kashima welcomes the Soccer World Cup in its all renewed stadium.
  • 2005 (August) The Tsukuba Express Line is complete and opened to traffic.