1902

Revision as of 05:20, 4 August 2008

The year 1902 in Japanese history and events related to Japan that occurred in this year.

Politics

• Emperor: Emperor Meiji
• Prime Minister: Katsura Taro

Births

No Notable Births

Deaths

No Notable Deaths

Entertainment

• The National Geisha Dance of Japan (movie)
• Japanese Bowery (movie)
• Japanese Dancing Hall (movie)
• Japanese Girl Smoking Cigarettes (movie)
• Japanese Yuma Dance (Movie)

Sports

Business

• January 30 – Signing of the Anglo-Japanese Alliance

On January 30, the Anglo-Japanese Alliance was signed in London by Lord Lansdowne, who was the British foreign secretary, and Hayashi Tadasu, the Japaense minister that resided in London. The point of the alliance was to help the British protect their commercial interest in China, as well as giving them an ally that would be able to help keep Russia under control. The Japanese received recognition as one of the major powers in the world, and gave the government the ability to challenge Russia openly, as they were occupying Manchuria and wanted to take over Korea. The treaty allowed the countries to remain neutral to each other, but they were obligated to help each other if more than one country went against the other country. The treaty lasted until 1923.

Other

• The Arithmometer

Roichi Yazu, a Japanese inventor, wanted to find a way to add things together without needed an abacus. In 1902 he invented a mechanical calculating machine. Yazu named the machine the “Yazu Arithmometer”, and it was patented a year later. There were 200 units manufactured, but the project quickly died when Yazu decided to try to build an airplane with an engine in it. The machine remained forgotten until 1977, when A. Uchiyama found an old one in one of Yazu’s sister’s descendant’s homes.

• Immigration to Texas

In 1902, overpopulation was becoming a serious problem in Japan. The government knew it, and so they sent out scouts to America to see if there was any viable land to migrate to. Texas dignitaries believed that the Japanese rice farms would do well there, and would give them an advantage against Louisiana’s trade. Thirty rice farms ended up being started in the area just south of Houston.