April 20:

Events

• 1284 - Hōjō Tokimune dies. (Traditional Japanese Date: Fourth Day of the Fourth Month, 1284)
• 1868 - The capital is moved from Kyoto to Edo, which is renamed Tokyo. (Traditional Japanese Date: Twenty-eighth Day of the Third Month, 1868)
• 1871 - Postal service begins in Tokyo, Kyoto and Osaka. (Traditional Japanese Date: First Day of the Third Month, 1871)
• 1901 - Japan's Women's University opens.
• 1914 - Serial publication of Natsume Sōseki's novel Kokoro begins.
• 1925 - Airmail service begins between Tokyo, Osaka and Fukuoka.
• 1927 - The Tanaka Giichi Cabinet is formed.
• 1947 - Japan's first House of Councillors election is held.
• 1954 - The Haiyūza Theater opens in Roppongi.
• 1954 - The first annual Tokyo Motor Show is held.
• 1959 - Groundbreaking ceremony is held for construction of the Tōkaidō Shinkansen
• 1966 - Automatic train stop equipment installation on all national railways is completed.

Births

• 1633 - Emperor Go-Kōmyō (d. 1654)
• 1978 - Mirei Kuroda, model and actress
• 1982 - Sayaka Kamiya, actress and model

Film and television

• 2008 - Ryokiteki na Kanojo begins airing on Tokyo Broadcasting System, starring Tsuyoshi Kusanagi and Rena Tanaka