Astro Boy, created by Osamu Tezuka in 1963, is considered the first modern anime and helped to popularize the genre both in Japan and around the world.
The Yokohama F. Marinos, a professional soccer team based in Yokohama, is one of the most successful teams in the J.League, having won several championships.
Japan has hosted several major international sporting events, including the 1964 Summer Olympics and the 2002 FIFA World Cup.
