Culture

September 8 — Japan's History and Today

September 7, 2026

This day highlights Minamoto no Yoritomo's uprising in 1180 and the US occupation army's entry into Tokyo in 1945, valuable for foreign residents in Japan to understand history.

1180 — Minamoto no Yoritomo's Uprising On September 8, 1180 (Chisho 4, 8th month 17th day), Minamoto no Yoritomo raised an army in Izu Province. This event marks the beginning of the Kamakura shogunate and a crucial turning point in Japan’s political history. It is an essential date for anyone studying Japanese history.

1945 — US Occupation Forces Enter Tokyo In 1945, following the end of World War II, the US occupation forces began their entry into Tokyo, holding an official occupation ceremony on September 8. This occupation began Japan’s postwar recovery and deeply influenced Japan-US relations and modern Japanese society. Understanding this event is helpful for foreign residents learning about Japan's postwar history.