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.

Japanese automakers are known for their strong focus on safety and have been leaders in developing new safety technologies such as automatic emergency braking and lane departure warning systems.

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.