The Japanese music market is the second largest in the world, driven by a highly specific domestic phenomenon: the idol culture. Idols are media personalities trained in singing, dancing, and acting, marketed as relatable role models.

Japan fundamentally shaped the global video game industry. Following the North American video game crash of 1983, Japanese companies like Nintendo and Sega rebuilt the medium from the ground up. Characters like Mario, Sonic, and Link became universal cultural icons.