Germany–Japan relations Germany–Japan relations The relations between Germany and Japan (, ) were officially established in 1861 with the first ambassadorial visit to Japan from Prussia (which predated the formation of the German Empire in 1866/1870). Japan modernized rapidly after the Meiji Restoration of 1867, often using German models through intense intellectual and cultural exchange. After 1900 Japan aligned itself with Britain, and Germany and Japan were enemies in World War I. Japan declared war on the German Empire in 1914 and seized key German possessions in China and the Pacific. In the 1930s, both countries adopted aggressive militaristic attitudes toward their
Declarations of war during World War I 1907 (or Hague II). For the diplomatic maneuvering behind these events, which led to hostilities between nations during World War I, see the article entitled Diplomatic history of World War I. Below is a table showing the "Outbreaks of Wars between Nations" which occurred during World War I. Indicated are the dates (during the immediate build-up to, or during the course of, World War I), from which a "de facto" state of war existed between nations. The table shows both the "Initiator Nation(s)" and the nation at which the aggression was aimed, or "Targeted Nation(s)". Events listed include those in