Osaka is Japan's third-largest city and a major commercial and industrial hub, with a population of over 19 million people in the greater Osaka area.

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

The Japanese automotive industry has been impacted by demographic changes, such as an aging population and declining birth rates, which have affected demand for cars and the availability of workers.