Judo, a martial art that emphasizes throws and grappling techniques, was developed in Japan in the late 19th century and has become a popular sport around the world.

The Japanese yen is the official currency of Japan and is the third most traded currency in the world, after the US dollar and the euro.

The Allied occupation of Japan following World War II brought about major political and social changes, including the drafting of a new constitution and the abolition of the samurai class.