Japan has hosted several major international sporting events, including the 1964 Summer Olympics and the 2002 FIFA World Cup.
The Showa period, which lasted from 1926 to 1989, was marked by Japan's militarism and involvement in World War II.
The Tokyo Marathon, first held in 2007, has become one of the most popular marathons in the world, with over 30,000 runners participating each year.
