Sapporo is the largest city on Japan's northern island of Hokkaido, and is known for its winter sports and beer.

The Showa period, which lasted from 1926 to 1989, was marked by Japan's militarism and involvement in World War II.

The Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games, originally scheduled for 2020 but postponed due to the COVID-19 pandemic, are set to take place in 2021.