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Africa Guides

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Asia Guides

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Caribbean Guides

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Central America

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Europe Guides

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Middle East Guides

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North America

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Pacific Guides

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South America

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Japan was founded in 600 BC by the Emperor Jimmu, who is an ancestor of the present ruling imperial family. Its early history is distinguished by the long period of Chinese cultural influence. The Chinese writing system was adopted and Buddhism was introduced during the 6th century. The first capital was established at Nara in 710 when the Yamato dynasty was the ruling power.

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Japan became involved in wars with China in 1894, and Russia in 1904. The outcome meant that Japan had a greater influence in Korea until it was annexed in 1910. During WWI, Japan fought alongside the Allies and they emerged as a new industrial and military power. However, they resigned from the League of Nations in 1933 and invaded China in 1937. They signed an \'anti-Comintern pact\' with Nazi Germany and eventually launched the devastating attacks on the US navy at Pearl Harbour in 1941.

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