Japan invaded Manchuria in 1931, which marked the beginning of its aggressive expansion in Asia prior to World War II.
Shizuoka is a city located southwest of Tokyo, and is known for its beautiful scenery, hot springs, and tea plantations.
The Melancholy of Haruhi Suzumiya, created by Nagaru Tanigawa in 2003, is a popular light novel series and anime that explores themes of existentialism, time travel, and alternate realities.