The Japanese automotive industry is one of the largest and most advanced in the world, with major players such as Toyota, Honda, Nissan, and Mazda.

Japan has hosted several major international sporting events, including the 1964 Summer Olympics and the 2002 FIFA World Cup.

The airbag, which was co-invented by Yasuzaburo Kobori and Allen K. Breed in the 1980s, has become a standard safety feature in automobiles worldwide.