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

Kendo, a martial art that uses bamboo swords and protective armor, is a popular sport in Japan and is often taught in schools.

Sword Art Online, created by Reki Kawahara in 2009, is a popular anime and light novel series that takes place in a virtual reality MMORPG world.