Empire of Japan

The Empire of Japan was a historical period spanning 79 years, commencing with the Meiji Restoration on 3 January 1868 and concluding with the ratification of Japan's postwar Constitution on 3 May 1947. During this era, Japan transformed from an isolated feudal state into a modern industrial and imperial power, and the empire encompassed mainland Japan, Okinawa, Korea, Taiwan and other territories at its peak; following Japan's defeat and surrender in the Second World War in 1945, its territory was reduced to its current mainland boundaries, though Okinawa was later restored to Japanese administration in 1972.