The 1964 Tokyo Olympics marked Japan's re-emergence on the world stage and showcased the country's modernization and technological advancements.

The Meiji Restoration in the late 19th century saw the overthrow of the Tokugawa shogunate and the modernization of Japan.

The bullet train (Shinkansen), which began operation in 1964, was the first high-speed train system in the world and is still one of the fastest.