The Taisho Era of Japan, which lasted from July of 1912 to the end of 1926, is an often overlooked but important part of Japanese history as they geared up to become the fearsome empire that would take over much of Asia and the Pacific during World War 2. This presentation will examine various aspects of this era, such as the technological and military advancements, cultural features, growth in nationalism, their involvement in World War 1, to reveal why this era is so significant to understanding Japan’s rise.