The Japanese crested ibis, also known as the "toki," is a critically endangered bird that is native to Japan and is considered a symbol of good luck.

The Meiji Restoration in the late 19th century saw the overthrow of the Tokugawa shogunate and the modernization of Japan.

The oil crisis of the 1970s had a major impact on Japan's economy, leading to increased focus on energy conservation and alternative sources of energy.