In manga, the winners of the Shogakukan Manga Award were Sunset on Third Street by Ryōhei Saigan (general), Dr. Slump by Akira Toriyama (shōnen or shōjo) and Doraemon by Fujiko Fujio (children).

Spank by Shun'ichi Yukimuro and Shizue Takanashi (shōjo) won the Kodansha Manga Award.

Kibun wa mou sensou by Katsuhiro Otomo won the Seiun Award for Best Comic of the Year.

In music, the 32nd Kōhaku Uta Gassen was won by the White Team (men).

In tennis, Japan hosted the Federation Cup, won by the United States.