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

Tennis is also popular in Japan, with several Japanese players competing at the highest level of the sport, including Naomi Osaka and Kei Nishikori.

Fullmetal Alchemist, created by Hiromu Arakawa in 2001, is a popular manga and anime series that explores themes of science, magic, and the consequences of human ambition.