Japan invaded Manchuria in 1931, which marked the beginning of its aggressive expansion in Asia prior to World War II.

The Todaiji Temple in Nara is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and home to the world's largest bronze statue of Buddha.

Mobile Suit Gundam, created by Yoshiyuki Tomino in 1979, is a popular anime series that helped to popularize the mecha genre of anime, which features giant robots.