The first novel ever written, The Tale of Genji, was written in Japan in the 11th century by a noblewoman named Murasaki Shikibu.

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