PoliticalLegal & treatiesCulturalSpace
- 1947Independence3 May 1947 (current constitution adopted as amendment to Meiji Constitution); notable earlier dates: 11 February 660 B.C. (mythological date of Emperor JIMMU founding the nation); 29 November 1890 (Meiji Constitution provides for constitutional monarchy)CIA World Factbook
- 1970First space object launchedOhsumiGCAT
- 1979Ratified the ICCPR (civil & political rights)UN Treaty Collection
- 1985Ratified CEDAW (women’s rights)UN Treaty Collection
- 1993First UNESCO World Heritage siteBuddhist Monuments in the Horyu-ji AreaUNESCO World Heritage
- 1994Ratified the Convention on the Rights of the ChildUN Treaty Collection
- 2007Joined the ICC (Rome Statute)UN Treaty Collection
- 2016Ratified the Paris Climate AgreementUN Treaty Collection
- 2024Most recent World Heritage inscriptionSado Island Gold MinesUNESCO World Heritage
- 2026Most recent legislative election2026-02-08IPU Parline
- 2026Most recent space launchGCAT
