Japan invaded Manchuria in 1931, which marked the beginning of its aggressive expansion in Asia prior to World War II.
The Shinkansen, or bullet train, is a popular mode of transportation for tourists in Japan, and travels at speeds of up to 320 km/h (200 mph).
The first novel ever written, The Tale of Genji, was written in Japan in the 11th century by a noblewoman named Murasaki Shikibu.