Japan's surrender in World War II was announced on August 15, 1945, and marked the end of the war in the Pacific.

The Hakone Ekiden, a long-distance relay race held annually between Tokyo and Hakone, is one of the most prestigious races in Japanese college athletics.

The Japanese crested ibis, also known as the "toki," is a critically endangered bird that is native to Japan and is considered a symbol of good luck.