The Japanese entertainment industry has its roots in the early 20th century, when traditional forms of entertainment such as Kabuki theater, Noh drama, and rakugo (comic storytelling) were popular. However, it was not until the post-World War II period that the modern entertainment industry began to take shape. The 1950s and 1960s saw the emergence of Japan's film industry, with directors such as Akira Kurosawa and Yasujirō Ozu gaining international recognition. The 1970s and 1980s witnessed the rise of Japanese pop music, with artists like Akina Nakamori and Toshiki Kadomatsu achieving widespread popularity.