Japan is traditionally said to have been founded in 660 BCE by Emperor Jimmu, who according to legend was a descendant of the sun goddess Amaterasu. This founding marks the beginning of the Japanese imperial dynasty, which is considered the longest continuous hereditary monarchy in the world. February 11, 660 BCE is celebrated as National Foundation Day in Japan in honor of this event. Historically and archaeologically, human settlement in the Japanese archipelago dates back tens of thousands of years, with the Jomon period beginning around 14,000 BCE and the Yayoi period around 300 BCE marking key cultural developments. The Yamato clan unified the country later, and the first reliable historical records date from about 400 CE onward. In summary:
- Legendary founding of Japan by Emperor Jimmu in 660 BCE (traditional date)
- Human settlement in Japan dates back to about 30,000 to 38,000 years ago
- The continuous imperial line started with Jimmu, linked to the Yamato dynasty
- February 11 is National Foundation Day commemorating this foundation
This founding legend blends mythology and early history and remains a central part of Japanese cultural identity.
