Part I: History

Japan’s historical trajectory provides the foundation for understanding its contemporary institutions and societal organization. From the centralized feudalism of the Tokugawa period to the transformative impact of the Meiji Restoration and the devastation and reconstruction following World War II, each era has shaped the structures that govern Japan’s economy, politics, and social order. This part traces key historical junctures that underpin modern Japan, emphasizing the role of institutional continuity, adaptive governance, and the long-term implications of imperial expansion, wartime defeat, and postwar democratization.

# Part I: History

Japan’s historical trajectory provides the foundation for understanding its contemporary institutions and societal organization. From the centralized feudalism of the Tokugawa period to the transformative impact of the Meiji Restoration and the devastation and reconstruction following World War II, each era has shaped the structures that govern Japan’s economy, politics, and social order. This part traces key historical junctures that underpin modern Japan, emphasizing the role of institutional continuity, adaptive governance, and the long-term implications of imperial expansion, wartime defeat, and postwar democratization.