japan was granted membership in the united nations in 1956. a period of record growth propelled japan to become the second-largest economy in the world.on march 11, 2011, japan suffered one of the largest earthquakes in its recorded history, triggering the fukushima daiichi nuclear disaster. on may 1, 2019, after the historic abdication of emperor akihito, his son naruhito became emperor, beginning the reiwa era. on 8 july 2022, former prime minister shinzo abe was assassinated while giving a campaign speech in nara.