The first novel ever written, The Tale of Genji, was written in Japan in the 11th century by a noblewoman named Murasaki Shikibu.

One Piece, created by Eiichiro Oda in 1997, is a popular manga and anime series that follows the adventures of a group of pirates as they search for the ultimate treasure.

The Showa period, which lasted from 1926 to 1989, was marked by Japan's militarism and involvement in World War II.