The Showa period, which lasted from 1926 to 1989, was marked by Japan's militarism and involvement in World War II.

The Japanese river otter, once common throughout Japan, is now extinct due to habitat destruction and hunting.

Shonen Jump, a weekly manga magazine published by Shueisha, has been a major influence on the development of anime and manga culture in Japan, and has produced many popular anime series such as Dragon Ball, One Piece, and Naruto.