The instant noodle, invented by Momofuku Ando in 1958, has become a staple food item in many countries around the world.

Soccer, or football, is a popular sport in Japan and the country has a professional soccer league with 18 teams.

The Japanese men's national basketball team has competed in several Olympic Games and has produced several NBA players, including Rui Hachimura and Yuta Watanabe.