Japan has a fascination with mascots, and there are thousands of them representing everything from cities to prisons.

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.

The Japanese automotive industry has been impacted by demographic changes, such as an aging population and declining birth rates, which have affected demand for cars and the availability of workers.