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.

Fullmetal Alchemist, created by Hiromu Arakawa in 2001, is a popular manga and anime series that explores themes of science, magic, and the consequences of human ambition.

Cherry blossoms, or sakura, are a national symbol of Japan and are celebrated each spring with picnics and festivals.