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

The Japanese men's national basketball team has competed in several Olympic Games and has produced several NBA players, including Rui Hachimura and Yuta Watanabe.

Naruto, created by Masashi Kishimoto in 1999, is a popular manga and anime series that follows the adventures of a young ninja as he strives to become the strongest ninja in his village.