> We're talking about one of the world's oldest continuous civilizations... Somehow I keep hearing this when Japan is mentioned, and I have to wonder where th

> We're talking about one of the world's oldest continuous civilizations... Somehow I keep hearing this when Japan is mentioned, and I have to wonder where this conception comes from. According to Wikipedia, the Kofun Period, the "earliest era of recorded history in Japan," starts around AD 250. For comparison, Ramses II ruled 1279-1213 BC. Alexander the Great 336-323 BC, China's first emperor 220-210 BC.