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

Basketball is growing in popularity in Japan, with several professional teams and the national team competing at the highest level.

Mobile Suit Gundam, created by Yoshiyuki Tomino in 1979, is a popular anime series that helped to popularize the mecha genre of anime, which features giant robots.