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

The Hakone Ekiden, a long-distance relay race held annually between Tokyo and Hakone, is one of the most prestigious races in Japanese college athletics.

Sword Art Online, created by Reki Kawahara in 2009, is a popular anime and light novel series that takes place in a virtual reality MMORPG world.