In the post-World War II era, Japan experienced a significant cultural and economic shift. The 1960s and 1970s saw the rise of popular music, with artists like Kyu Sakamoto, who gained international fame with his hit song "Ue o Muite Arukō" (known as "Sukiyaki" in the West). This period also marked the beginning of Japan's iconic anime (animation) industry, with shows like "Astro Boy" (Tetsuwan Atom) and "Kimba the White Lion" (Jungle Emperor Leo), which would later become global phenomena.