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

Japan's surrender in World War II was announced on August 15, 1945, and marked the end of the war in the Pacific.

The Japanese black bear is a species of bear that is found throughout Japan's forests and is known for its distinctive white chest patch.