Contemporary Japanese culture is defined by a blend of deep-rooted traditions and high-tech innovation. THE JAPANESE ENTERTAINMENT INDUSTRY

Entertainment is not just passive consumption in Japan. The "water trade" ( mizu shobai ) is a massive service industry.

Here is a look inside the machine that gave us Godzilla, Ghibli, and the global sensation of Baby Metal .

This article deconstructs the major pillars of the industry, examining how they shape and are shaped by the unique culture of the archipelago.