Question 1

The Plaza Accord was an agreement that

Accepted Answer

A)  renegotiated the terms of the treaty under which Japan allows U.S. troops to be stationed in the country. 
B)  devalued the American dollar against the Japanese yen, thus making Japanese exports more expensive and less competitive. 
C)  would have established a joint currency between Japan and several Asian countries. 
D)  increased the value of the American dollar respective to the Japanese yen, thus making American exports more expensive and less competitive. 
E)  established the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation forum. 
A)  renegotiated the terms of the treaty under which Japan allows U.S. troops to be stationed in the country. 
B)  devalued the American dollar against the Japanese yen, thus making Japanese exports more expensive and less competitive. 
C)  would have established a joint currency between Japan and several Asian countries. 
D)  increased the value of the American dollar respective to the Japanese yen, thus making American exports more expensive and less competitive. 
E)  established the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation forum. B

Question 2

The phrase descent from heaven , used in reference to Japan, means

Accepted Answer

A)  the appointment of public officials by the emperor to whom divinity was ascribed before World War II. 
B)  a politician's or public servant's fall into disgrace because of a scandal. 
C)  the legendary origin of the imperial family. 
D)  the employment of senior government officials upon their retirement by public or private corporations. 
E)  the widespread belief that Japan has a manifest destiny. 
A)  the appointment of public officials by the emperor to whom divinity was ascribed before World War II. 
B)  a politician's or public servant's fall into disgrace because of a scandal. 
C)  the legendary origin of the imperial family. 
D)  the employment of senior government officials upon their retirement by public or private corporations. 
E)  the widespread belief that Japan has a manifest destiny. D

Question 3

Japan's shogunate was an example of a

Accepted Answer

A)  monarchial dynasty. 
B)  one-party government. 
C)  communist government. 
D)  military government. 
E)  democratic (parliamentary) government. 
A)  monarchial dynasty. 
B)  one-party government. 
C)  communist government. 
D)  military government. 
E)  democratic (parliamentary) government. D

Question 4

Which of the following statements about the Japanese Diet (parliament) is INCORRECT?

Accepted Answer

A)  While the lower house can be, and frequently is, dissolved, the upper house cannot. 
B)  The lower house is more powerful than the upper house. 
C)  Both houses are comprised predominately of men. 
D)  The lower house can override the upper house's rejection of an ordinary bill with a two-third majority. 
E)  The upper house is the larger chamber. 
A)  While the lower house can be, and frequently is, dissolved, the upper house cannot. 
B)  The lower house is more powerful than the upper house. 
C)  Both houses are comprised predominately of men. 
D)  The lower house can override the upper house's rejection of an ordinary bill with a two-third majority. 
E)  The upper house is the larger chamber.

Question 5

Which of the following best describes the role of the Japanese government in its economy?

Accepted Answer

A)  It was very interventionist prior to World War II but the occupation forced the government to adopt laissez-faire policies that have remained in place to this day. 
B)  It has always played a major role serving as both patron and protector of domestic industry. 
C)  It has acted as the patron and guardian for domestic industries since the Meiji period. 
D)  Its adoption of a "wartime command economy" during World War II was an aberration as the government had traditionally adopted a laissez-faire stance. 
E)  It began to act as a patron and protector of domestic industries only after the end of the Allied occupation in the 1950s. 
A)  It was very interventionist prior to World War II but the occupation forced the government to adopt laissez-faire policies that have remained in place to this day. 
B)  It has always played a major role serving as both patron and protector of domestic industry. 
C)  It has acted as the patron and guardian for domestic industries since the Meiji period. 
D)  Its adoption of a "wartime command economy" during World War II was an aberration as the government had traditionally adopted a laissez-faire stance. 
E)  It began to act as a patron and protector of domestic industries only after the end of the Allied occupation in the 1950s.

Question 6

The major goals pursued by the Allied occupiers of Japan following World War II were

Accepted Answer

A)  the economic recovery of the country and the restructuring of the military as a buffer against the threat posed by the Soviet Union. 
B)  the economic recovery of the country and the restoration of the sovereignty of the emperor. 
C)  democratization and the economic recovery of the country. 
D)  demilitarization and democratization. 
E)  the economic recovery of the country and the persecution of war criminals. 
A)  the economic recovery of the country and the restructuring of the military as a buffer against the threat posed by the Soviet Union. 
B)  the economic recovery of the country and the restoration of the sovereignty of the emperor. 
C)  democratization and the economic recovery of the country. 
D)  demilitarization and democratization. 
E)  the economic recovery of the country and the persecution of war criminals.

Question 7

The average tenure in office of prime ministers in postwar Japan has been

Accepted Answer

A)  less than one year. 
B)  just over two years. 
C)  just over four years. 
D)  about six years. 
E)  about eight years. 
A)  less than one year. 
B)  just over two years. 
C)  just over four years. 
D)  about six years. 
E)  about eight years.

Question 8

Which of the following statements about the Japanese Supreme Court is INCORRECT?

Accepted Answer

A)  Supreme Court judges are appointed for life. 
B)  The Supreme Court consists of a chief judge and fourteen other judges. 
C)  The Supreme Court's chief judge is nominated by the cabinet and formally appointed by the emperor. 
D)  The cabinet appoints all members of the Supreme Court. 
E)  The Supreme Court, along with the eight higher courts and fifty district courts, possess the power of judicial review. 
A)  Supreme Court judges are appointed for life. 
B)  The Supreme Court consists of a chief judge and fourteen other judges. 
C)  The Supreme Court's chief judge is nominated by the cabinet and formally appointed by the emperor. 
D)  The cabinet appoints all members of the Supreme Court. 
E)  The Supreme Court, along with the eight higher courts and fifty district courts, possess the power of judicial review.

Question 9

Which of the following BEST describes the relationship between the central government and subnational governments?

Accepted Answer

A)  Japan is a federal system in which certain powers are reserved for subnational governments and others for the central government. 
B)  The central government exercises financial and administrative control over subnational governments. 
C)  Although Japan is a unitary state, the central government has nevertheless devolved a significant amount of authority to subnational governments. 
D)  The central government exercises financial and administrative control over the governments of prefectures but not local governments. 
E)  The central government exercises financial and administrative control over local governments but not those of prefectures. 
A)  Japan is a federal system in which certain powers are reserved for subnational governments and others for the central government. 
B)  The central government exercises financial and administrative control over subnational governments. 
C)  Although Japan is a unitary state, the central government has nevertheless devolved a significant amount of authority to subnational governments. 
D)  The central government exercises financial and administrative control over the governments of prefectures but not local governments. 
E)  The central government exercises financial and administrative control over local governments but not those of prefectures.

Question 10

Japan is a major financial contributor to

Accepted Answer

A)  the United Nations. 
B)  the International Monetary Fund (IMF). 
C)  the World Bank. 
D)  the Asian Development Bank. 
E)  all of these. 
A)  the United Nations. 
B)  the International Monetary Fund (IMF). 
C)  the World Bank. 
D)  the Asian Development Bank. 
E)  all of these.

Question 11

A keiretsu is a

Accepted Answer

A)  semipublicly owned financial corporation. 
B)  semipublicly owned industry. 
C)  business alliance of closely linked firms that have preferential trading relationships and often interlocked directorates and stock-sharing arrangements. 
D)  lobbyist who works for a private firm or collection of firms. 
E)  financier of public and private corporations and public works projects. 
A)  semipublicly owned financial corporation. 
B)  semipublicly owned industry. 
C)  business alliance of closely linked firms that have preferential trading relationships and often interlocked directorates and stock-sharing arrangements. 
D)  lobbyist who works for a private firm or collection of firms. 
E)  financier of public and private corporations and public works projects.

Question 12

The Japanese Supreme Court exercises its constitutional power of judicial review

Accepted Answer

A)  very rarely. 
B)  very frequently. 
C)  never. 
D)  about as frequently as the U.S. Supreme Court. 
E)  only when the cabinet directs it to do so. 
A)  very rarely. 
B)  very frequently. 
C)  never. 
D)  about as frequently as the U.S. Supreme Court. 
E)  only when the cabinet directs it to do so.

Question 13

Which statement about the Japanese legislative process is INCORRECT?

Accepted Answer

A)  Ordinary bills can be introduced first in either house but budget bills must be introduced first in the lower house. 
B)  Since the early 2000s, the number of bills introduced by the cabinet and the number of bills introduced by members of the legislature have been about even although a higher percentage of cabinet bills have been passed than member bills. 
C)  Amendments to the Japanese constitution only require the consent of two-thirds of all members in each legislative house. 
D)  An ordinary bill is passed or rejected by a simple majority in the committee of either house, then by the whole house. 
E)  The lower house can override a rejection by the upper house of both ordinary and budget bills. 
A)  Ordinary bills can be introduced first in either house but budget bills must be introduced first in the lower house. 
B)  Since the early 2000s, the number of bills introduced by the cabinet and the number of bills introduced by members of the legislature have been about even although a higher percentage of cabinet bills have been passed than member bills. 
C)  Amendments to the Japanese constitution only require the consent of two-thirds of all members in each legislative house. 
D)  An ordinary bill is passed or rejected by a simple majority in the committee of either house, then by the whole house. 
E)  The lower house can override a rejection by the upper house of both ordinary and budget bills.

Question 14

The March 2011 "triple disaster" refers to

Accepted Answer

A)  North Korean missile tests that destroyed three Japanese fishing vessels. 
B)  a critical point in the conflict between Japan, Vietnam, and China over water rights. 
C)  a chemical spill, an industrial accident, and a bridge collapse that killed hundreds, all happening within weeks of one another. 
D)  an earthquake, a resulting tsunami, and a meltdown at a Japanese nuclear reactor. 
E)  three simultaneous attacks on the Japanese transportation system by a religious cult. 
A)  North Korean missile tests that destroyed three Japanese fishing vessels. 
B)  a critical point in the conflict between Japan, Vietnam, and China over water rights. 
C)  a chemical spill, an industrial accident, and a bridge collapse that killed hundreds, all happening within weeks of one another. 
D)  an earthquake, a resulting tsunami, and a meltdown at a Japanese nuclear reactor. 
E)  three simultaneous attacks on the Japanese transportation system by a religious cult.

Question 15

Which of the following is NOT true of minority ethnic groups in Japan?

Accepted Answer

A)  The Ainu and the Okinawans both have their own distinctive language and culture despite being part of Japanese society for hundreds of years. 
B)  The majority of ethnic Koreans remain resident aliens. 
C)  The Ainu have been declared to be an indigenous people of Japan, although the Okinawans have not. 
D)  All ethnic minority groups are concentrated in the poorest prefectures of the country. 
E)  The core issue facing ethnic minorities is the discrimination they experience in employment and marriage. 
A)  The Ainu and the Okinawans both have their own distinctive language and culture despite being part of Japanese society for hundreds of years. 
B)  The majority of ethnic Koreans remain resident aliens. 
C)  The Ainu have been declared to be an indigenous people of Japan, although the Okinawans have not. 
D)  All ethnic minority groups are concentrated in the poorest prefectures of the country. 
E)  The core issue facing ethnic minorities is the discrimination they experience in employment and marriage.

Question 16

Administrative guidance refers to

Accepted Answer

A)  the practice of the Japanese government to set long-term goals with regard to technological innovation. 
B)  the practice of the Japanese government to regularly issue contradictory regulations leaving private firms unsure of how to react. 
C)  the command economy structures of the Japanese government. 
D)  informal guidance given to a private firm by a government agency that raises issues of transparency and collusion. 
E)  the practice of the Japanese government of issuing flexible "administrative rules" rather than strict formal regulations, thus effectively giving private firms a free hand to do as they wish. 
A)  the practice of the Japanese government to set long-term goals with regard to technological innovation. 
B)  the practice of the Japanese government to regularly issue contradictory regulations leaving private firms unsure of how to react. 
C)  the command economy structures of the Japanese government. 
D)  informal guidance given to a private firm by a government agency that raises issues of transparency and collusion. 
E)  the practice of the Japanese government of issuing flexible "administrative rules" rather than strict formal regulations, thus effectively giving private firms a free hand to do as they wish.

Question 17

Which of the following statements about Japan's role in a globalized world of states is NOT true?

Accepted Answer

A)  Japan is the second largest contributor to the International Monetary Fund (IMF) and the World Bank. 
B)  All past presidents of the Asian Development Bank have been Japanese. 
C)  Japan is a founding member of the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation forum. 
D)  Japan has never been elected a non-permanent member of the United Nations Security Council. 
E)  Japan is the second largest contributor to the United Nations budget. 
A)  Japan is the second largest contributor to the International Monetary Fund (IMF) and the World Bank. 
B)  All past presidents of the Asian Development Bank have been Japanese. 
C)  Japan is a founding member of the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation forum. 
D)  Japan has never been elected a non-permanent member of the United Nations Security Council. 
E)  Japan is the second largest contributor to the United Nations budget.

Question 18

Japan's Lay Judge System

Accepted Answer

A)  is a system whereby a judge may adjudicate a suit between Japanese citizens. 
B)  is a system whereby a panel of randomly selected Japanese citizens rule on civil cases involving corporations. 
C)  permits Japanese citizens who have not attained a law degree to become judges. 
D)  is a reform that made all judgeships in Japan elected positions. 
E)  allows major criminal cases to be heard by a panel consisting of professional judges and randomly chosen Japanese citizens. 
A)  is a system whereby a judge may adjudicate a suit between Japanese citizens. 
B)  is a system whereby a panel of randomly selected Japanese citizens rule on civil cases involving corporations. 
C)  permits Japanese citizens who have not attained a law degree to become judges. 
D)  is a reform that made all judgeships in Japan elected positions. 
E)  allows major criminal cases to be heard by a panel consisting of professional judges and randomly chosen Japanese citizens.

Question 19

The Allied occupation brought about a number of reforms to democratize and demilitarize Japan. What were the most important of these? How successful were they and in what sense?

Accepted Answer

The most important reforms brought about

Question 20

Zoku , or tribes, refer to

Accepted Answer

A)  a group of politicians who come from the same region of the country. 
B)  Japan's various parliamentary committees within the House of Representatives. 
C)  the diverse political factions that exist within Japan's political parties. 
D)  a coalition of civil servants and academics who develop policy options. 
E)  a group of politicians who work closely with special interests to advance a particular policy agenda. 
A)  a group of politicians who come from the same region of the country. 
B)  Japan's various parliamentary committees within the House of Representatives. 
C)  the diverse political factions that exist within Japan's political parties. 
D)  a coalition of civil servants and academics who develop policy options. 
E)  a group of politicians who work closely with special interests to advance a particular policy agenda.

The Plaza Accord was an agreement that

The phrase descent from heaven , used in reference to Japan, means

Japan's shogunate was an example of a

Which of the following statements about the Japanese Diet (parliament) is INCORRECT?

Which of the following best describes the role of the Japanese government in its economy?

The major goals pursued by the Allied occupiers of Japan following World War II were

The average tenure in office of prime ministers in postwar Japan has been

Which of the following statements about the Japanese Supreme Court is INCORRECT?

Which of the following BEST describes the relationship between the central government and subnational governments?

Japan is a major financial contributor to

A keiretsu is a

The Japanese Supreme Court exercises its constitutional power of judicial review

Which statement about the Japanese legislative process is INCORRECT?

The March 2011 "triple disaster" refers to

Which of the following is NOT true of minority ethnic groups in Japan?

Administrative guidance refers to

Which of the following statements about Japan's role in a globalized world of states is NOT true?

Japan's Lay Judge System

The Allied occupation brought about a number of reforms to democratize and demilitarize Japan. What were the most important of these? How successful were they and in what sense?

Zoku , or tribes, refer to

Introducing Comparative Politics

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France

Germany

European Union

India

The United States

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Mexico

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Exam 6: Japan

The Plaza Accord was an agreement that

The phrase descent from heaven , used in reference to Japan, means

Japan's shogunate was an example of a

Which of the following statements about the Japanese Diet (parliament) is INCORRECT?

Which of the following best describes the role of the Japanese government in its economy?

The major goals pursued by the Allied occupiers of Japan following World War II were

The average tenure in office of prime ministers in postwar Japan has been

Which of the following statements about the Japanese Supreme Court is INCORRECT?

Which of the following BEST describes the relationship between the central government and subnational governments?

Japan is a major financial contributor to

A keiretsu is a

The Japanese Supreme Court exercises its constitutional power of judicial review

Which statement about the Japanese legislative process is INCORRECT?

The March 2011 "triple disaster" refers to

Which of the following is NOT true of minority ethnic groups in Japan?

Administrative guidance refers to

Which of the following statements about Japan's role in a globalized world of states is NOT true?

Japan's Lay Judge System

The Allied occupation brought about a number of reforms to democratize and demilitarize Japan. What were the most important of these? How successful were they and in what sense?

Zoku , or tribes, refer to

Introducing Comparative Politics

Britian

France

Germany

European Union

India

The United States

Brazil

Mexico

South Africa

Nigeria

The Russian Federation

Iran

China

Filters