2002 in Japan

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

George W. Bush addressing a joint session of the Diet, February 19

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.