History and Religion

History
�@Japan has a very long history.The first people lived in Japan more than 30,000 years ago. From about 300AD to 1192 Japan had an imperial system, but from 1192 to 1867 the country was ruled by a series of shoguns(warriors) and noble families. The capital city was moved several times. Nara was the capital from 710 to 794, and Kyoto and Osaka were also capitals at one time.
In 1867 the emperor was restored to power and since then the name of each period in Japanese history has changed on the death of the emperor. For example, the current era is called Heisei and it began in 1989 following the death of Emperor Hirohito and the crowning of Emperor Akihito. The emperor has limited power as the Japanese constitution adopted in 1946 defines his role as a symbol of the country, while sovereignty rests with the people via a democratically elected government.

Religion

Most believers are Buddhists or Shintoists. Most families have a kind of alter in their houses. They pray in front of it at home. They sometimes go to temples and shrines to pray. It is very common to visit shrines on New Year's Day and to visit ancestors' graves.