1894 First Sino-Japanese War begins First Sino-Japanese War begins 1895 Shimonoseki Treaty Shimonoseki Treaty After defeat in Sino-Japanese War, China unwillingly cedes Taiwan to Japan and pays financial indemnityAfter defeat in Sino-Japanese War, China unwillingly cedes Taiwan to Japan and pays financial indemnity 1902 Anglo-Japanese Alliance signed Anglo-Japanese Alliance signed Japan and Britain agree to mutual safeguarding of their interests in AsiaJapan and Britain agree to mutual safeguarding of their interests in Asia Alliance is renewed in 1905 and 1911Alliance is renewed in 1905 and 1911

1905 Japan defeats Russia in Russo-Japanese War of Japan defeats Russia in Russo-Japanese War of US mediates the Treaty of PortsmouthUS mediates the Treaty of Portsmouth Treaty forces Russia to give southern Manchuria to JapanTreaty forces Russia to give southern Manchuria to Japan Treaty recognizes Japan as the dominant power in KoreaTreaty recognizes Japan as the dominant power in Korea Another treaty forces China to recognize Japan’s imperialistic rights in Southern ManchuriaAnother treaty forces China to recognize Japan’s imperialistic rights in Southern Manchuria Japan and US sign Taft-Katsura memorandumJapan and US sign Taft-Katsura memorandum Agreement recognizes Japan’s rights in Korea and US control of PhilippinesAgreement recognizes Japan’s rights in Korea and US control of Philippines

1907 Hague Conference Hague Conference Hague IV – Convention Respecting the Laws and Customs of War on LandHague IV – Convention Respecting the Laws and Customs of War on Land 1910 Japan’s official annexation of Korea Japan’s official annexation of Korea

World War IWorld War I Japan, allied against Germany, occupies Shantung Peninsula of ChinaJapan, allied against Germany, occupies Shantung Peninsula of China Japan assumes imperial rights of Germany in ChinaJapan assumes imperial rights of Germany in China 1926 Hirohito becomes Emperor of JapanHirohito becomes Emperor of Japan 1929 Geneva Convention Relative to the Treatment of Prisoners of WarGeneva Convention Relative to the Treatment of Prisoners of War 1931 Japanese Imperial Army launches a full-scale attack on ManchuriaJapanese Imperial Army launches a full-scale attack on Manchuria

1932 Japan seizes Manchuria Japan seizes Manchuria Establishes puppet state of ManchukuoEstablishes puppet state of Manchukuo Japan builds biological warfare units in Japan, China and ManchuriaJapan builds biological warfare units in Japan, China and Manchuria 1933 The League of Nations declares that Manchukuo is not a legitimate stateThe League of Nations declares that Manchukuo is not a legitimate state League calls for Japanese withdrawal from ManchuriaLeague calls for Japanese withdrawal from Manchuria Japan withdraws from the League in protestJapan withdraws from the League in protest Expanding from Manchuria, the Japanese Imperial Army gains control of much of Northern ChinaExpanding from Manchuria, the Japanese Imperial Army gains control of much of Northern China

1937 July 7: “Marco polo Bridge Incident” leads to Japan’s full-scale invasion of China July 7: “Marco polo Bridge Incident” leads to Japan’s full-scale invasion of China Peking (now Beijing) and Shanghai are capturedPeking (now Beijing) and Shanghai are captured Official start of World War II in AsiaOfficial start of World War II in Asia Dec 13: when Nanking, the capital of China, falls the Japanese Imperial Army begins the Nanking MassacreDec 13: when Nanking, the capital of China, falls the Japanese Imperial Army begins the Nanking Massacre The Japanese Imperial Army system of Military Sexual Slavery expandsThe Japanese Imperial Army system of Military Sexual Slavery expands Referred to as “Comfort Women” and “Comfort Stations”Referred to as “Comfort Women” and “Comfort Stations”

1939 World War II begins in EuropeWorld War II begins in Europe Germany invades Poland; the Western Allies declare war on GermanyGermany invades Poland; the Western Allies declare war on Germany 1940 Japan moves into northern Indo-China (now Vietnam, Laos and Cambodia)Japan moves into northern Indo-China (now Vietnam, Laos and Cambodia) Japan joins the Axis Alliance with Germany and ItalyJapan joins the Axis Alliance with Germany and Italy

1941 Tojo Hideki becomes Prime Minister of JapanTojo Hideki becomes Prime Minister of Japan The Pacific phase of World War II begins for the Western AlliesThe Pacific phase of World War II begins for the Western Allies Dec 7 : Japan raids Pearl HarborDec 7 : Japan raids Pearl Harbor British Malaya and Hong Kong are also simultaneously attackedBritish Malaya and Hong Kong are also simultaneously attacked Dec 25: Hong Kong falls Dec 25: Hong Kong falls 1,975 Canadian soldiers had been sent to defend Hong Kong earlier in 19411,975 Canadian soldiers had been sent to defend Hong Kong earlier in are killed in action290 are killed in action 1,685 are captured and interned by the Japanese military1,685 are captured and interned by the Japanese military 267 die in internment267 die in internment

1942 Forced relocation and internment of Japanese Americans and Canadians in the US and Canada beginsForced relocation and internment of Japanese Americans and Canadians in the US and Canada begins By May, Japan has gained control over wide territoriesBy May, Japan has gained control over wide territories Territories include: Hong Kong, Philippines, Vietnam, Laos, Cambodia, Thailand, Burma (now Mayanmar), Malaya (now Singapore and Malaysia), Dutch East Indies (now Indonesia), and many other Pacific islandsTerritories include: Hong Kong, Philippines, Vietnam, Laos, Cambodia, Thailand, Burma (now Mayanmar), Malaya (now Singapore and Malaysia), Dutch East Indies (now Indonesia), and many other Pacific islands

1945 May 8: Germany surrenders to Western Allies in EuropeMay 8: Germany surrenders to Western Allies in Europe Aug 6: First atomic bomb dropped on HiroshimaAug 6: First atomic bomb dropped on Hiroshima Aug 8: The Soviet Union declares war on JapanAug 8: The Soviet Union declares war on Japan Aug 9: The second atomic bomb dropped on NagasakiAug 9: The second atomic bomb dropped on Nagasaki Aug 15: Japan surrendersAug 15: Japan surrenders World War II endsWorld War II ends

1946 International Military Tribunal for the Far East (IMTFE) is establishedInternational Military Tribunal for the Far East (IMTFE) is established Tribunal prosecutes those responsible for the war and war crimesTribunal prosecutes those responsible for the war and war crimes Tribunal documents Massacres, Death Marches, Forced Slave Labour, POW Conditions, other war atrocities and war crimesTribunal documents Massacres, Death Marches, Forced Slave Labour, POW Conditions, other war atrocities and war crimes Only 28 defendants tried for war crimes before official end of trials in 1948Only 28 defendants tried for war crimes before official end of trials in 1948

1951 The San Francisco Peace Treaty is signed between Japan and 48 other nations—including CanadaThe San Francisco Peace Treaty is signed between Japan and 48 other nations—including Canada Burma, China, India, Korea & the Soviet Union are not party to treatyBurma, China, India, Korea & the Soviet Union are not party to treaty Signatory nations waive claims for Japanese ReparationsSignatory nations waive claims for Japanese Reparations