The Japanese women's national soccer team, also known as the Nadeshiko Japan, won the FIFA Women's World Cup in 2011 and has been a dominant force in women's soccer.

The Mongol invasions of Japan in the 13th century were repelled by a combination of strategic planning and a typhoon that destroyed the invading fleet.

Japanese automakers have been leaders in developing fuel-efficient and low-emission vehicles, such as hydrogen fuel cell cars and plug-in electric vehicles.