With a widely dispersed population of more than 130 million people, Japan has always relied heavily on connectivity in its export economy. The country's first domestic airlines were established in the 1920s and in the following years, assisted the government in its geopolitical objectives, such as the invasion of Manchuria and on into World War Two. The Japanese capitulation in 1945 brought all aviation activities to a standstill, but Japan Airlines (JAL) received permission in 1951 to start up domestic flights, using leased aircraft from American companies. In 1952, JAL commenced its first international route, followed in 1954 by its first intercontinental route. Services to Europe followed in 1960. Further expansion of the route network was accomplished with modern jets, but government regulation of the domestic and international markets was relaxed only in the 1980s. Even so, later years were punctuated by uncertainty, caused by the Gulf Wars, the swine flu pandemic and the banking crisis. However, in 2011, JAL emerged from court administered bankruptcy and could make a new start. Featuring more than 150 pictures, this book is an account of one of the world's most significant, versatile and successful airlines.
