&gt;  We&#x27;re talking about one of the world&#x27;s oldest continuous civilizations...<p>Somehow I keep hearing this when Japan is mentioned, and I have to wonder where this conception comes from.  According to Wikipedia, the Kofun Period, the &quot;earliest era of recorded history in Japan,&quot; starts around AD 250.<p>For comparison, Ramses II ruled 1279-1213 BC.  Alexander the Great 336-323 BC, China&#x27;s first emperor 220-210 BC.