Today, billions of devices and services run java, everything from computers, electronic systems in cars, IoT devices, gaming consoles, PoS systems, medical devices, and many others, including a wide range of emerging tech.
Java was designed to be portable. It could be written for one type of device and easily moved to another. Also, Java can run from anywhere, unlike JavaScript, which needs a web browser. This flexibility and versatility made it a popular innovation and contributed to its widespread use.
Officially released in 1995, Java is something of an elder statesman among programming languages. In a field that is constantly innovating, with new technologies routinely supplanting once-popular languages that inevitably fade, Java has maintained its place and relevance as a mainstream language for application software development. Many developers still prefer it over other powerful languages like Python, Ruby, PHP, Swift, C++, and others. That alone speaks volumes about its capabilities.