Much of the early development of this nation could be traced back
to the Asian lines. The written language at first utilized Chinese
characters with elements of Confucianism and later during the 6th
century, Buddhism was introduced as supplements to the indigenous
Shinto beliefs. Imperial power began to be eclipsed by the rich
land-owning families.
Following a period of bitter fighting between the Minamoto and
Taira clans in the late 12th century, imperial power collapsed
completely, to be replaced by that of the newly titled shoguns. The
line of emperors continued, though with little more than ceremonial
purpose.
Much of the 16th century was marked by fighting in the independent
domains within the country, each under the rule of a local
aristocratic lord known as daimyo. It was only with the advent of
Toyotomi Hideyoshi and his successor Tokugawa Ieyasu that the country
was reunified. Ieyasu's victory at the beginning of the Tokugawa
period-also known as Edo(the name of the town from which was destined
to be renamed Tokyo). Japan was ruled under the shogun families until
the restoration of the emperor in 1868.
After some 80 years of contact with Europeans, the Tokugawas
resolved to have no more to do with outsiders, so Japan embarked on a
period of isolation from the outside world, which was finally broken
in 1853. Thereafter, Japan modernized its administrative and economic
structure and started out on its quest for world power. However,
defeat in World War II put an end to the country's aspirations th
that direction.
Today, as Asia's dominant economic power, Japan has emerged as world financial power.