2002 in Japan
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| Years in Japan: | 1999 2000 2001 2002 2003 2004 2005 |
| Centuries: | 20th Century · 21st century · 22nd century |
| Decades: | 1970s 1980s 1990s 2000s 2010s 2020s 2030s |
| Years: | 1999 2000 2001 2002 2003 2004 2005 |
2002 was the 14th year of Heisei in Japan.
[edit] Incumbents
- Emperor: Akihito
- Prime Minister: Junichiro Koizumi
- Chief Cabinet Secretary: Yasuo Fukuda
- Governor of Tokyo: Shintaro Ishihara
[edit] Events
- January 15: UFJ Bank founded.
- January 29: Koizumi fires Foreign Minister Makiko Tanaka.
- February 1: Yoriko Kawaguchi is appointed foreign minister; her previous portfolio of Environment Minister is assumed by Hiroshi Oki.
- February 19: U.S. president George W. Bush addresses a joint session of the Diet.
- March 7: Futoshi Matsunaga and Junko Ogata are arrested for confinement of a 17-year-old girl. They are arrested for seven murders later.
- April 1: Mizuho Bank founded.
- April 1: Domestic Violence Prevention Act becomes effective.
- April 21: E231 series trains are introduced on the Yamanote Line in Tokyo.
- May 31: World Cup Korea/Japan 2002 begins.
- June 11: Solar eclipse visible throughout Japan.
- June 30: World Cup ends.
- June 30: Izumi Garden Tower is completed.
- September 17: Koizumi visits North Korea; Kim Jong-il admits to the North Korean abduction of Japanese citizens.
- October 15: Five Japanese abductees return from North Korea.
- December 1: Tōhoku Shinkansen extension to Hachinohe Station opens.
- December 1: Saikyo Line and Rinkai Line extensions to Osaki Station open, allowing through service.
- December 1: Iwate Ginga Railway and Aoimori Railway begin operations.
[edit] Deaths
- April 10: Yuji Hyakutake, amateur astronomer
- November 15: Sohn Kee-chung, marathon runner
- December 21: Prince Takamado

