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

The 16th century saw the rise of Oda Nobunaga, Toyotomi Hideyoshi, and Tokugawa Ieyasu, who were instrumental in unifying Japan under a centralized government.

Miso soup, a soup made with fermented soybean paste, is a popular Japanese dish that is often served as a side dish.