Asakura, Japan, gained train service when the Kōchi Line, later called the Dosan Line, opened its station on November 15, 1924. This station served as an intermediate stop during the line’s extension from Kusaka to Kōchi. This development significantly improved local transportation in the area. Initially, the train service provided a vital link for local … Read more

In the plan for invading Japan during WWII, General Douglas MacArthur proposed an immediate invasion of Kyushu, followed by an attack on Honshu. Admiral Chester Nimitz, however, supported a strategy focused on blockade and bombardment to weaken Japan’s defenses and accelerate its defeat. The invasion of Japan focused on capturing key territories to weaken Japan’s … Read more

To enter Japan without a working visa, individuals must not intend to work. Citizens from select regions can stay visa-free for up to 90 days for tourism. Valid passports and onward tickets are required. Avoid any plans for employment during this stay to prevent entry denial. Another pitfall is financial inadequacy. Japan requires proof of … Read more

President Truman’s plans to end the war with Japan included four main options: continuing conventional bombing, launching an invasion, demonstrating the atomic bomb on an unpopulated island, or dropping it on a populated city. His decision focused on minimizing casualties and ensuring a swift Japanese surrender. In July 1945, Truman authorized the use of the … Read more

The United States imposed an embargo on scrap-metal shipments to Japan and restricted access to the Panama Canal for Japanese ships. This significantly harmed Japan’s economy, as 74.1% of its scrap iron and 93% of its copper came from the U.S. in 1938 and 1939. Japan viewed the sanctions as a direct threat to its … Read more

The invasion plans for Japan used a two-pronged approach. US Navy planners favored a blockade and bombardment to weaken Japan. General Douglas MacArthur and army planners aimed for an early assault on Kyushu, leading to a major invasion of Honshu. Admiral Chester Nimitz supported this strategy for greater effectiveness. Military leaders anticipated fierce resistance from … Read more

Japan’s first electric tramcars were 6 meters long and 2 meters wide. They featured one bogie powered by a GE traction motor, operating at 550 V with 25 hp. The body was built in Japan. You can see a preserved traction motor and bogie at The Railway Museum in Saitama Prefecture. As electric trains gained … Read more

During WWII, Japan had several POW camp groups. The main groups included Hakodate, Sendai, Tokyo, Nagoya, Osaka, Hiroshima, and Fukuoka. Each group contained a main camp and several branch camps. This system helped Japan manage and detain prisoners of war effectively. Historical insights reveal systematic abuse and cruelty. Reports of physical punishment and psychological torture … Read more

A large, rusty metal sphere, about 5 feet wide, washed up on a beach in Japan, confusing locals and authorities. The sphere is likely made of iron and has raised handles, suggesting it was anchored. Meanwhile, thousands of dead sardines have also appeared along Japan’s northern coast, but the reasons for this remain unclear. In … Read more

Commodore Perry’s visit to Japan resulted in the Treaty of Kanagawa, signed on March 31, 1854. Japan agreed to protect American shipwrecked seamen and open the ports of Shimoda and Hakodate to American ships. This treaty marked the start of diplomatic relations between Japan and the United States. The key results of Perry’s visit included … Read more