Japan War History – List of Conflicts

In this article, we are going to list and briefly summarize all the wars that Japan has been involved in, both civil wars and wars against other nations. I hope you make good use of Japan's history of wars.

The purpose of this article is only to report all the battles in which Japan was involved. We will not detail or explain each of them. You can search separately on our website or on the internet.

japan civil wars

It's even a little difficult to talk about all of Japan's civil wars, because throughout its history the country lived in wars between provinces. Fortunately, many wars were marked and recorded and we can list them all.

The first recorded war in Japan took place in the seventh century BC. It is an expedition carried out by the Emperor Jimmu against troops led by local tribes. This was the war responsible for the founding of Japan.

Japanese War History - List of Conflicts

The second war recorded in Japan is the Wa Civil War which resulted in the establishment of Yamatai, the consolidation of chiefdoms and the coronation of Himiko as queen bringing peace to Japan in the 180s.

After the Jomon period came the Yamato period and one of the first wars was during the expedition carried out by Empress Jingu in the third century. Soon after, in the years 391 to 404, conflicts called Goguryeo-wa.

Between 658 and 660 there was a war between an ancient people called the Mishihase and the Yamato State (Japan). In 675 the Jinshin War to dispute the succession of Japan after the death of Emperor Tenji.

Japanese War History - List of Conflicts

Between 770 and 811, the Thirty-Eight Years' War against a group called Emishi. Between 1180 and 1185 the great Genpei War involving the Minamoto clan and the Taira clan. In 1221 the Jokyu War involving the Kamakura Shogunate and a Retired Emperor.

There were many other wars like the Boshin War (1868-1869) and many other battles that took place between Japanese clans and Emperors. At the end of the article we will leave a list of absolutely all these conflicts.

Conflicts involving Japan and the world

Below we will leave a list of conflicts that Japan has been involved in throughout its history with other nations and countries. Japan has officially entered into conflicts 11 times with other nations. Most of the time with neighboring countries.

Of all the wars listed below, Japan only had two victories which were in the Russo-Japanese War and on First World War. Not to mention that the Japan's participation in World War I it was very small.

Japanese War History - List of Conflicts
DateConflictdefeatedVictorious
1592-1598Imjin WarJapanKorea and China
1904-1905Russo-Japanese WarRussian Empireempire of japan
1917–1918First World WarGermany Austria-Hungary and BulgariaFrance and allies (Japan)
1918–1920Russian Civil War White Movement (+Japan)Soviet Russia and Far Eastern Republic
1932-1939Border conflicts between the Soviet Union and Japan empire of japan Soviet Union and Mongolia
1937-1945Second Sino-Japanese War empire of japan Republic of China
1939–1945Second World War Germany, Japan and allies Soviet Union, United States and allies
1945Soviet-Japanese War empire of japan Soviet Union
1945Operation August Storm empire of japan Soviet Union
1945Invasion of South Sakhalin empire of japan Soviet Union
1945Invasion of the Kuril Islands
empire of japan Soviet Union

Not over yet. Although I have mentioned all the wars that Japan had a strong participation. There are some conflicts that we can list that Japan participated in, even if it didn't use troops or take any action.

Other Japanese military involvements

Japan was involved in Baekje-Tang War along with Baekje and Goguryeo against Tang and Silla in the years 660 to 663 on the Korean peninsulas. In 1637 to 1638 the Shimabara Rebellion against Roman Catholics and ronin rebels.

Japanese War History - List of Conflicts

The first major international war that Japan was involved in was against the Mongol Empire which involved China and Korea. THE Mongol invasion of Japan it took place between 1274 and 1281 and involved alliance of the Imperial Court and some clans.

In 1419 the Oei invasion between the Ashikaga Shogunate and Korea in Tsushima Prefecture. Japan won and took out the Koreans who invaded the province. O Japan tried to invade Korea between 1592 and 1598 but without success.

Between 1863 and 1864, the Shimonosek Campaigni between the Choushu Domain and the British Empire which resulted in the defeat where the Choushu had to pay compensation.

Japanese War History - List of Conflicts

Japan had the First Sino-Japanese War in 1894 and 1895 against China. In 1895, the Japanese Invasion of Taiwan took place against the Republic of Formosa, which was victorious.

Between 1899 and 1901 he had the Boxer Rebellion between China against Japan, Russia and allies. Ironically, the war between Japan and Russia in the Hokkaido region soon followed.

In 1931 and 1932, the Japanese invasion of Manchuria against China that ended with a Truce. In 1940 Japan had a conflict with France in 1940 in French Indochina.

Japanese War History - List of Conflicts

At the end of the Second World War, Japan became involved with France in the Masterdom Operation (1945-1946) against Vietnam which resulted in the restoration of French rule in Indochina and spawned another war.

A small confrontation took place in 2001 against North Korea called the Battle of Amami-Oshima. The engagement lasted about 6 hours and resulted in the North Korean naval trawler sinking. Victory for Japan!

Japan kind of got involved in Iraq War which took place between 2003 and 2011. His involvement was almost nil, so much so that he is practically not even mentioned as involved. Japan was on the winning side!

Japanese War History - List of Conflicts

Japan participated in Operation OCEAN SHIELD organized by BORN which took place between 2009 and 2016. Its objective was to combat piracy off the Horn of Africa. The number of pirates has been drastically reduced.

What did you think of all of Japan's wars?

The article is still halfway through, but we recommend also reading:

Complete list of all battles in Japan

Below we will leave a complete list of all battles and conflicts that took place in Japan or involving Japan or previous nations. The list has the name of the battle followed by the date it took place and sometimes the name in Japanese.

Some wars may not be listed below because they were already listed in this article that cites international conflicts involving Japan. I will bold the main conflicts or the wars responsible for other battles.

Japanese War History - List of Conflicts

Remembering that the list below cites all battles involving Japan. It could be that one of the battles is part of a war that was mentioned in the list a little earlier. If there is no date in the name of the battle, it was probably a small battle that is part of a larger war.

  • Emperor Jinmu's Expedition (c.7th Century BCE) [神武東征]
  • Takehaniyasuhiko Rebellion (c.1st Century BCE) [武埴安彦命]
  • Yamato Takeru's Expedition (c.late 1st Century-early 2nd Century) [ヤマトタケル]
  • Civil war of Wa (146-189 or 178-184)
  • Empress Jingū Expedition (c.3rd Century) [三韓征伐]
  • Goguryeo–Yamato War (391-404)
  • Kibi Clan Rebellion (463)
  • Prince Hoshikawa Rebellion (479)
  • Iwai Rebellion (527-528)
  • Musashi no Kuni no Miyatsuko Rebellion (534) [武蔵国造の乱]
  • Battle of Shigisan (587)
  • Isshi Incident (645)
  • Abe no Hirafu Expedition (658-660) [阿倍比羅夫]
  • Battle of Baekgang (663)
  • Jinshin War (672)
  • Hayato Rebellion (720-721)
  • Fujiwara no Hirotsugu Rebellion (740)
  • Fujiwara no Nakamaro Rebellion (764)
  • Thirty-Eight Year War (774-811)
  • Hōki Rebellion (780-781?) [宝亀の乱]
  • Battle of Subuse (788) [巣伏の戦い]
  • Thirty-Eight Year War (774-811)
  • Conquista por Sakanoue no Tamuramaro (801)
  • Última Conquista por Funya no Watamaro (811)
  • Gangyō Rebellion (878) [元慶の乱]
  • Kanbyō Silla pirate invasion (893)
  • Jōhei-Tengyō Rebellion (936-941) [承平天慶の乱]
  • Fujiwara no Koresuke Rebellion (947) [藤原是助の乱]
  • Toi invasion (1019)
  • Taira no Tadatsune Rebellion (1028-1030) [平忠常の乱]
  • Zenkunen War (1051-1062)
  • Battle of Onikirib (1051)
  • Battle of Kinomi (1057)
  • Siege of Komatsu (1062)
  • Siege of Koromogawa (1062)
  • Siege of Kuriyagawa (1062)
  • Enkyū Battle of Ezo (1070) [延久蝦夷合戦]
  • Gosannen War (1083-1087)
  • Siege of Kanezawa (1087)
  • Minamoto no Yoshichika Rebellion (1107-1108) [源義親の乱]
  • Hogen Rebellion (1156)
  • Heiji Rebellion (1159)
  • Genpei War (1180-1185)
    • Battle of Ishibashiyama (1180)
    • Battle of Fujigawa (1180)
    • Battle of Sunomata-gawa (1181)
    • Battle of Kurikara (1183)
    • Siege of Hōjūjidono (1184)
    • Battle of Uji (1184)
    • Battle of Awazu (1184)
    • Battle of Ichi-no-Tani (1184)
    • Battle of Kojima (1184)
    • Battle of Yashima (1185)
    • Battle of Dan-no-ura (1185)
  • Ōshū War (1189) [奥州合戦]
  • Wada Rebellion (1213) [和田合戦]
  • Miura Rebellion (1247) [宝治合戦]
  • Jōkyū War (1221)
  • Battle of Uji (1221)
  • Mongol invasions of Japan (1274 & 1281)
  • Battle of Bun'ei (1274)
  • Battle of Kōan (1281)
  • Genkō War (1331-1333)
  • Siege of Kasagi(1331)
  • Siege of Akasaka (1331)
  • Siege of Chihaya (1333)
  • Battle of Bubaigawara (1333)
  • Siege of Kamakura (1333)
  • Nakasendai Rebellion (1335) [中先代の乱]
  • Battle of Tatarahama (1336)
  • Battle of Minatogawa (1336)
  • Siege of Kanegasaki (1337)
  • Battle of Ishizu (1338) [石津の戦い]
  • Battle of Shijō Nawate (1348)
  • Kannō Incident (1350-1352) [観応の擾乱]
  • Battle of Uchidehama (1351) [打出浜の戦い]
  • Battle of Chikugogawa (1359) [筑後川の戦い]
  • Ōei Rebellion (1399) [応永の乱]
  • Rebellion of Uesugi Zenshū (1416-1417) [上杉禅秀の乱]
  • Eikyō Rebellion (1438-1439) [永享の乱]
  • Siege of Yūki (1440) [結城合戦]
  • Kakitsu Incident (1441) [嘉吉の乱]
  • Koshamain's Revolt (1456-1457) [コシャマインの戦い]
  • Kyōtoku incident (1455-1482)
  • Battle of Bubaigawara (1455) [分倍河原の戦い(室町時代)]
  • Battle of Irako (1459-1477) [五十子の戦い]
  • Nagao Kageharu Rebellion (1476-1480) [長尾景春の乱]
  • Battle of Egota-Numabukurohara (1477) [江古田・沼袋原の戦い]
  • Ōnin War (1467-1477)
  • Chōkyō Incident (1487-1505) [長享の乱]
  • Battle of Tachigawara (1504) [立河原の戦い]
  • Battle of Kuzuryūgawa (1506)
  • Battle of Nyoigatake (1509) [如意ケ嶽の戦い]
  • Battle of Nagamorihara (1510) [長森原の戦い]
  • Siege of Gongenyama (1510)
  • Siege of Arai (1516)
  • Battle of Arita-Nakaide (1517) [有田中井手の戦い]
  • Battle of Iidagawara (1521)
  • Ningbo Turmoil (1523) [寧波の乱]
  • Battle of Katsuragawa (1527) [桂川原の戦い]
  • Battle of Tatenawate (1530) [田手畷の戦い]
  • Battle of Shiokawa no gawara (1531)
  • Kyoroku War (1531) [享禄の錯乱]
  • Battle of Daimotsu (1531) [大物崩れ]
  • Tenbun War (1532-1535) [天文の錯乱]
  • Siege of Iimoriyama (1532) [飯盛山城の戦い]
  • Siege of Sakai (1532)
  • Siege of Yamashina Honganji (1532) [山科本願寺の戦い]
  • Battle of Idano (1535)
  • Battle of Un no Kuchi (1536)
  • Battle of Sanbuichigahara (1536)
  • Hanakura Incident (1536) [花倉の乱]
  • Battle of Sendanno (1536)
  • Battle of Un no Kuchi (1536)
  • Siege of Musashi-Matsuyama (1537)
  • Battle of Kōnodai (1538)
  • Siege of Koriyama (1540-1541)
  • Battle of Azukizaka (1542)
  • Siege of Toda Castle (1542-1543)
  • Utsuro Rebellion (1542-1548) [天文の乱(洞の乱)]
  • Battle of Kawagoe (1546)
  • Battle of Odaihara (1546)
  • Battle of Azukizaka (1548)
  • Battle of Uedahara (1548)
  • Siege of Toishi (1550) [砥石崩れ]
  • Battle of Kaizu (1552)
  • Battles of Kawanakajima (1553, 1555, 1557, 1561, 1564)
  • Battle of Enshu-Omori (1554)
  • Battle of Ino (1555)
  • Battle of Miyajima (1555)
  • Battle of Nagaragawa (1556)
  • Battle of Ukino (1558)
  • Siege of Therab (1558)
  • Battle of Kōnodai (1564)
  • Siege of Minowa (1566)
  • Siege of Hachigata (1568)
  • Battle of Mimasetoge (1569)
  • Battle of Takehiro (1571)
  • Siege of Iwamura Castle (1572)
  • Battle of Mimigawa (1578)
  • Battle of Okitanawate (1584)
  • Battle of Suriagehara (1589)

Oda Nobunaga's Battles

  • Battle of Norada (1560)
  • Siege of Marune (1560)
  • Battle of Okehazama (1560)
  • Siege of Inabayama Castle (1567)
  • Battle of Anegawa (1570)
  • Siege of Mount Hiei (1571)
  • Sieges of Nagashima (1571, 1573, 1574)
  • Battle of Mikatagahara (1572)
  • Siege of Odani (1573)
  • Siege of Takatenjin (1574, 1580-1581)
  • Second Siege of Iwamura Castle (1575)
  • Battle of Nagashino (1575)
  • Battle of Tedorigawa (1577)
  • Siege of Miki (1578-1580)
  • Siege of Takamatsu (1582)
  • Incident at Honnō-ji (1582)

After Toyotomi Hideyoshi's Unification

  • Battle of Yamazaki (1582)
  • Battle of Shizugatake (1583)
  • Battle of Komaki and Nagakute (1584)
  • Invasion of Shikoku (1585)
  • Battle of Hetsugigawa (1587)
  • Siege of Odawara (1590)
  • Siege of Kunoe (1591
  • Invasions in Korea
  • Battle of Bunroku (1592-1593)
  • Battle of Keicho (1597-1598)
  • Battle of Hansan Island (1592)
  • Battle of Haengju (1593)
  • Battle of Myeongnyang (1597)
  • Siege of Ulsan (1597-1598)
  • Battle of Sacheon (1598)
  • Battle of Noryang (1598)
  • Battle of Sekigahara (1600)
    • Siege of Fushimi
    • Battle of Gifu Castle
    • Siege of Ueda
  • Ryukyu Invasion (1609)
  • Siege of Osaka (1614-1615)
  • Winter Campaign (Osaka Fuyu no Jin)
  • Battle of Imafuku (1614)
  • Battle of Shigino (1614)
  • Battle of Kizugawa (1614)
  • Battle of Noda-Fukushima (1614)
  • Siege of Sanada-maru (1615)
  • Summer Campaign (大坂夏の陣 Osaka Natsu no Jin)
  • Battle of Kashii (1615)
  • Battle of Dōmyōji (1615)
  • Battle of Yao (1615)
  • Battle of Wakae (1615)
  • Battle of Tennoji (1615)
  • Shimabara Rebellion (1637-1638)
  • Shakushain's Revolt (1669-1672)
  • Jōkyō Uprising (1686)
  • Ueda Rebellion (1761) [上田騒動]
  • Nijinomatsubara Rebellion (1771) [虹の松原一揆]
  • Menashi-Kunashir Rebellion (1789)
  • Ōshio Heihachirō's Rebellion (1837)
  • Tsushima Incident (1862)
  • Battle of Shimonoseki Straits (1863)
  • Battles for Shimonoseki (1863)
  • Bombing of Kagoshima (1863)
  • Myth Rebellion (1864)
  • Kinmon Incident (1864)
  • First Chōshū Expedition (1864)
  • Battles for Shimonoseki (1864)
  • Second Chōshū Expedition (1866)
  • Boshin War (1868-1869)
  • Battle of Toba–Fushimi (1868)
  • Battle of Awa (1868)
  • Battle of Kōshū-Katsunuma (1868)
  • Battle of Utsunomiya Castle (1868)
  • Battle of Ueno (1868)
  • Battle of Aizu (1868)
  • Battle of Miyako Bay (1869)
  • Battle of Hakodate (1869)
  • Naval Battle of Hakodate (1869)
  • Rebellion Saga (1874)
  • Japanese Invasion of Taiwan (1874)
  • Ganghwa Island incident (1875)
  • Shinpuren Rebellion (1876)
  • Akizuki Rebellion (1876)
  • Hagi Rebellion (1876)
  • Satsuma Rebellion (1877)
  • Siege of Kumamoto Castle (1877)
  • Battle of Tabaruzaka (1877)
  • Battle of Shiroyama (1877)
  • Donghak Peasant Revolution (1894-1895)
  • Battle of Ugeumchi (1894)
  • First Sino-Japanese War (1894-1895)
  • Battle of Pungdo (1894)
  • Battle of Seonghwan (1894)
  • Battle of Pyongyang (1894)
  • Battle of Yalu River (1894)
  • Battle of Jiuliancheng (1894)
  • Battle of Lushunkou (1894)
  • Battle of Weihaiwei (1895)
  • Battle of Yingkou (1895)
  • Invasão japonesa em Taiwan (1895)
  • Fishermen Campaign (1895)
  • Battle of Keelung (1895) (1895)
  • Hsinchu Campaign (1895)
  • Battle of Baguashan (1895)
  • Battle of Chiayi (1895)
  • Battle of Chiatung (1895)
  • Capitulation of Tainan (1895)
  • Battle of Changhsing (1895)
  • Battle of Port Arthur (1904-1905)
  • Battle of Yalu River (1904)
  • Battle of the Yellow Sea (1904)
  • Battle of Nanshan (1904)
  • Battle of Shantung (1904)
  • Battle of Dairen (1904)
  • Battle of Liaoyang (1904)
  • Battle of Tsushima (1905)
  • Battle of Mukden (1905)
  • Namdaemun Battle (1907)
  • Siege of Tsingtao (1914)
  • Battle of Qingshanli (1920)
  • Battle of Fengwudong (1920)
  • Marco Polo Bridge Incident (1937)
  • Battle of Beiping–Tianjin (1937)
  • Battle of Shanghai (1937)
  • Battle of Pingxinguan (1937)
  • Battle of Nanjing (1937)
  • Battle of Taiyuan (1937)
  • Battle of Xuzhou (1937)
  • Battle of Taierzhuang (1938)
  • Battle of Wuhan (1938)
  • Battle of Canton (1938)
  • Battles of Khalkhin Gol (Nomonhan Incident) (1939)
  • Battle of Changsha (1939)
  • Offensive of a Hundred Regiments (1940)

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