Wagyu beef, a type of high-quality beef that is known for its marbling and tenderness, is a popular ingredient in Japanese cuisine.

The Allied occupation of Japan following World War II brought about major political and social changes, including the drafting of a new constitution and the abolition of the samurai class.

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