The karaoke machine, which was invented by Daisuke Inoue in 1971, has become a popular form of entertainment worldwide.

The 1995 Tokyo subway sarin gas attack by the Aum Shinrikyo cult shocked Japan and led to increased scrutiny of religious groups.

The Showa period, which lasted from 1926 to 1989, was marked by Japan's militarism and involvement in World War II.