1948 in Japan

Incumbents

• Supreme Commander Allied Powers: Douglas MacArthur
• Emperor: Hirohito
• Prime Minister: Tetsu Katayama until March 10, Hitoshi Ashida until October 15, Shigeru Yoshida
• Chief Cabinet Secretary: Suehiro Nishio until March 10, Gizō Tomabechi until October 15, Eisaku Satō from October 17
• Chief Justice of the Supreme Court: Tadahiko Mibuchi
• President of the House of Representatives: Komakichi Matsuoka until December 23
• President of the House of Councillors: Tsuneo Matsudaira
• Diet sessions: 2nd, 3rd, 4th
• Chief Justice: Tadahiko Mibuchi

  Events

• January 1: The Nijūbashi Bridge, a well known double arched stone bridge located between the front and middle gates of the Imperial Palace, is opened to the public
• January 4: International telephone service between the United States and Japan is established.
• January 5: According to Japan Transport Ministry official confirmed report, when a commuter train was running, following to two passenger cars were derail with damage in Meitetsu Seto Line, Moriyama-ku, Nagoya, 36 persons were fatalities, 153 persons were wounded.
• February 9 - Fujitec was founded, as predecessor name was Fuji Transport Machinery Industry in Nishi-ku, Osaka.
• March 9 - Yamazaki Baking founded in Ichikawa, Chiba Prefecture.
• March 10: Hitoshi Ashida becomes prime minister
• March 31: According to Japan Transport Ministry official confirmed report, an out of control device commuter train, collision with a standing commuter train in Kawachi-Hanazono Station, Kintetsu Nara Line, Kawachi, Osaka Prefecture, 49 persons were human fatalities.
• May 1: Japan Coast Guard founded.
• June 28: 1948 Fukui earthquake
• August 1: A first issue of Daily Sports published in Kobe.
• September 24: Honda Motor Company founded.
• October 5: Ashida cabinet resigns.
• October 15: Shigeru Yoshida becomes prime minister for a second term.
• November 1: Kataoka Electronic Company, later Alps Alpine was founded.
• November 12: International Military Tribunal for the Far East hands down death sentences for 7 war criminals and imprisonment for 18 others.
• December 7: Ashida arrested in connection with the Showa Electric scandal

  Births

• January 13: Shinji Sōmai, film director
• January 29: Mamoru Mori, astronaut
• January 31: Muneo Suzuki, politician
• February 13: Eizo Kenmotsu, gymnast
• February 15: Seiji Oko, volleyball player
• March 8: Kiyomi Kato, wrestler
• March 26: Ayumi Ishida, singer and actress
• April 16: Kazuyuki Sogabe, voice actor
• June 8: Naomi Miyake, cognitive scientist
• July 22: Toshio Tamogami, Air Self-Defense Force career military officer
• October 20: Jun Maki, copywriter
• November 12: Banjō Ginga, voice actor
• November 15: Hiroe Yuki, badminton player

  Deaths

• March 6 - Kan Kikuchi, writer and novelist
• April 12 - Masaomi Yasuoka, lieutenant general
• April 17 - Kantarō Suzuki, admiral and former prime minister
• April 20 - Mitsumasa Yonai, admiral and former prime minister
• June 13 - Osamu Dazai, novelist
• December 23 - Japanese war leaders :
• *Hideki Tōjō, general and former prime minister
• *Seishirō Itagaki general
• *Heitarō Kimura, general
• *Kenji Doihara, general
• *Kōki Hirota, diplomat and former prime minister
• *Iwane Matsui, general
• *Akira Mutō, general