Japanese automakers have been leaders in developing fuel-efficient and low-emission vehicles, such as hydrogen fuel cell cars and plug-in electric vehicles.

The hybrid car, first introduced by Toyota in 1997, uses both gasoline and electric power to improve fuel efficiency and reduce emissions.

Astro Boy, created by Osamu Tezuka in 1963, is considered the first modern anime and helped to popularize the genre both in Japan and around the world.