Japanese legal history has evolved significantly from ancient times to the present. Initially influenced by Chinese law, Japan developed its own legal codes during the Nara period (710-794). The Taihō Code of 701 established a centralized government and legal framework, laying the foundation for future laws. During the Edo period (1603-1868), Japan experienced a feudal system with local lords, or daimyō, exercising legal authority. The Meiji Restoration in 1868 marked a shift towards modernization, leading to the adoption of Western legal principles and the establishment of a formal legal system, which continues to influence Japan's laws today.