The Japan Professional Football League, also known as the J.League, was founded in 1992 and has become one of the most successful professional soccer leagues in Asia.
Japan's victory over Russia in the Russo-Japanese War of 1904-1905 was the first time an Asian power had defeated a European power in a modern war.
Cherry blossoms, or sakura, are a national symbol of Japan and are celebrated each spring with picnics and festivals.
