JAPAN & WAR 

Japan has had a long and complex history of involvement in wars, both as an aggressor and as a victim. Here are some of the major wars and conflicts in which Japan played a role:

Sengoku Period (1467-1603): The Sengoku period was a time of political upheaval and military conflict in Japan, characterized by the rise of powerful warlords known as daimyo. This period saw numerous battles and wars between rival factions, as well as foreign invasions by the Korean and Chinese armies.

First Sino-Japanese War (1894-1895): The First Sino-Japanese War was fought between Japan and China over control of Korea. Japan emerged victorious and gained control of Taiwan, as well as concessions in China.

Russo-Japanese War (1904-1905): The Russo-Japanese War was fought between Japan and Russia over territorial disputes in Manchuria and Korea. Japan emerged victorious and became the first non-European power to defeat a European power in modern times.

World War I (1914-1918): Japan entered World War I on the side of the Allies and played a minor role in the conflict, mainly by capturing German colonies in the Pacific.

Second Sino-Japanese War (1937-1945): The Second Sino-Japanese War was a conflict between Japan and China that began in 1937 and merged into World War II. Japan's invasion of China led to atrocities such as the Nanking Massacre, and the war resulted in millions of deaths.

World War II (1939-1945): Japan entered World War II as an Axis power and was responsible for a series of brutal war crimes, including the bombing of Pearl Harbor and the use of forced labor and sexual slavery. Japan surrendered in 1945 after the atomic bombings of Hiroshima and Nagasaki.

Korean War (1950-1953): Japan did not participate directly in the Korean War, but the conflict had significant implications for Japan's security and foreign policy. The war ended in a ceasefire, with the Korean peninsula divided into North and South.

Since World War II, Japan has renounced war as a means of settling international disputes and has focused on building a strong economy and playing a constructive role in international diplomacy.