Yakiniku, a dish made with grilled meat and vegetables, is a popular Japanese dish that is often served in restaurants where diners cook the meat themselves at the table.

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

The robotic pet, such as Sony's Aibo, has become a popular form of entertainment and companionship for people who cannot keep real pets.