Question 1

Once seen as a dynamic economic powerhouse, Japan has been, since the 1990s, mired in a lingering economic recession. This has resulted in

Accepted Answer

A)  a chronic budget deficit and growing national debt. 
B)  the government budget growing at a rate faster than the national economy. 
C)  government efforts to increase revenue such as raising the rate of the value added tax. 
D)  a sharp decline in the level of official development assistance ("foreign aid") by the government. 
E)  all of these. 
A)  a chronic budget deficit and growing national debt. 
B)  the government budget growing at a rate faster than the national economy. 
C)  government efforts to increase revenue such as raising the rate of the value added tax. 
D)  a sharp decline in the level of official development assistance ("foreign aid") by the government. 
E)  all of these.

Question 2

A predominant party regime is

Accepted Answer

A)  a multiparty democracy in which one party dominates the parliament and executive for a long period of time. 
B)  the same as a single party regime. 
C)  one in which a single party dominates the parliament but not the executive. 
D)  one in which a single party dominates the executive but not the parliament. 
E)  an authoritarian regime is dominated by a single party even though other parties do exist. 
A)  a multiparty democracy in which one party dominates the parliament and executive for a long period of time. 
B)  the same as a single party regime. 
C)  one in which a single party dominates the parliament but not the executive. 
D)  one in which a single party dominates the executive but not the parliament. 
E)  an authoritarian regime is dominated by a single party even though other parties do exist.

Question 3

Japan's unemployment rate hovers around ____ percent.

Accepted Answer

A)  2 
B)  4 
C)  6 
D)  8 
E)  9 
A)  2 
B)  4 
C)  6 
D)  8 
E)  9

Question 4

Support for the notion that Japan has slid, relative to other countries, in its international economic role and status can be found in all of the following EXCEPT

Accepted Answer

A)  the fact that it now ranks behind other countries in terms of donating money for developmental assistance. 
B)  its low rank on the World Competitiveness Scoreboard. 
C)  its technological edge in civilian goods export markets has been challenged by states like China and South Korea. 
D)  the fact that it has been replaced by China as the country with the largest foreign exchange reserves. 
E)  the relative low level of zaibatsu conglomerates operating within the country. 
A)  the fact that it now ranks behind other countries in terms of donating money for developmental assistance. 
B)  its low rank on the World Competitiveness Scoreboard. 
C)  its technological edge in civilian goods export markets has been challenged by states like China and South Korea. 
D)  the fact that it has been replaced by China as the country with the largest foreign exchange reserves. 
E)  the relative low level of zaibatsu conglomerates operating within the country.

Question 5

Which of the following is NOT an example of  a significant economic division in Japan?

Accepted Answer

A)  The division between unionized and nonunionized workers 
B)  The division between regular and nonregular workers 
C)  The division between men and women 
D)  The division between large firms and SMEs (small and medium sized firms) 
E)  All of these are examples of significant economic divisions in Japan 
A)  The division between unionized and nonunionized workers 
B)  The division between regular and nonregular workers 
C)  The division between men and women 
D)  The division between large firms and SMEs (small and medium sized firms) 
E)  All of these are examples of significant economic divisions in Japan

Question 6

Discuss how Japan's policy making process does not represent many of the norms and practices typically associated with a parliamentary democracy. What causes this divergence?

Accepted Answer

Japan's policy making process does not f

Question 7

Which of the following is NOT true of Japan's political parties?

Accepted Answer

A)  Most are host to entrenched factions. 
B)  They receive state subsidies. 
C)  They are mass parties with substantial grassroots memberships. 
D)  They generally play no substantial role in subnational politics. 
E)  There are five major political parties in Japan although small minor parties have come and gone over the years. 
A)  Most are host to entrenched factions. 
B)  They receive state subsidies. 
C)  They are mass parties with substantial grassroots memberships. 
D)  They generally play no substantial role in subnational politics. 
E)  There are five major political parties in Japan although small minor parties have come and gone over the years.

Question 8

Which statement about the Japanese social welfare system is NOT correct?

Accepted Answer

A)  It is comparable to that of the United States but compares poorly with other Western countries. 
B)  Social welfare spending is concentrated in pensions and health care for the elderly. 
C)  The development of a national welfare system was mandated by the postwar constitution. 
D)  Social welfare is the largest government budget item. 
A)  It is comparable to that of the United States but compares poorly with other Western countries. 
B)  Social welfare spending is concentrated in pensions and health care for the elderly. 
C)  The development of a national welfare system was mandated by the postwar constitution. 
D)  Social welfare is the largest government budget item.

Question 9

Article 9 , known as the "peace clause", of Japan's Constitution

Accepted Answer

A)  prevents the country's Self-Defense Forces from acting abroad. 
B)  specifies that Japan's military spending must be overseen by the United Nations. 
C)  defines Japan as a pacifist nation. 
D)  establishes the country's Self-Defense Forces. 
E)  limits how much the country can spend on its military. 
A)  prevents the country's Self-Defense Forces from acting abroad. 
B)  specifies that Japan's military spending must be overseen by the United Nations. 
C)  defines Japan as a pacifist nation. 
D)  establishes the country's Self-Defense Forces. 
E)  limits how much the country can spend on its military.

Question 10

Which of the following statements about Japan's debt is INCORRECT?

Accepted Answer

A)  Japan has sought to decrease its debt only by cutting spending, rather than raising revenue. 
B)  Japan has the highest debt-to-GNP ration among OECD countries. 
C)  Servicing the national debt consumed about a quarter of Japan's 2013 budget. 
D)  One reason for Japan's large debt is that it has paid for increased social welfare costs by issuing government bonds. 
E)  Japan's outstanding debt per citizen is just slightly higher than that of the United States. 
A)  Japan has sought to decrease its debt only by cutting spending, rather than raising revenue. 
B)  Japan has the highest debt-to-GNP ration among OECD countries. 
C)  Servicing the national debt consumed about a quarter of Japan's 2013 budget. 
D)  One reason for Japan's large debt is that it has paid for increased social welfare costs by issuing government bonds. 
E)  Japan's outstanding debt per citizen is just slightly higher than that of the United States.

Question 11

Nearly all of the descendants of contemporary Japan's citizens come from the following places EXCEPT

Accepted Answer

A)  Siberia. 
B)  China. 
C)  the Korean peninsula. 
D)  the South Pacific. 
E)  India. 
A)  Siberia. 
B)  China. 
C)  the Korean peninsula. 
D)  the South Pacific. 
E)  India.

Question 12

When we say that Japan is a constitutional monarchy, we mean that

Accepted Answer

A)  the monarch alone can amend the constitution. 
B)  the monarch is the formal head of government although as a practical matter, executive power is exercised by the prime minister. 
C)  the monarch serves only a ceremonial symbolic role. 
D)  the Japanese parliament chooses the monarch. 
E)  the monarch has a constitutional power to veto laws approved by parliament but he has never exercised this. 
A)  the monarch alone can amend the constitution. 
B)  the monarch is the formal head of government although as a practical matter, executive power is exercised by the prime minister. 
C)  the monarch serves only a ceremonial symbolic role. 
D)  the Japanese parliament chooses the monarch. 
E)  the monarch has a constitutional power to veto laws approved by parliament but he has never exercised this.

Question 13

Since the 1990s, Japan has been stuck in a  lingering economic downturn.  Describe at least five policies that the governments have enacted to reverse this downturn.  How successful have these policies been?

Accepted Answer

1. Quantitative Easing: The Japanese gov

Question 14

Current calls to amend the constitution have focused on all of the following EXCEPT

Accepted Answer

A)  revising Article 9 (the peace clause). 
B)  directly electing the prime minister. 
C)  devolving power to subnational governments. 
D)  consolidating the number of subnational units of government. 
E)  giving the power of judicial review to the Japanese Supreme Court. 
A)  revising Article 9 (the peace clause). 
B)  directly electing the prime minister. 
C)  devolving power to subnational governments. 
D)  consolidating the number of subnational units of government. 
E)  giving the power of judicial review to the Japanese Supreme Court.

Question 15

Since the 1990s, Japan has been said to be stuck in a lingering economic recession even though it has a relatively low unemployment rate and remains a significant international economic actor.  First, describe at least three measures that illustrate the country's economic woes.  Next, explain the significance of these measures.

Accepted Answer

Three measures that illustrate Japan's e

Question 16

The 1960 political episode that brought down the Liberal Democrat government of Kishi Nobusuke involved the government's decision to

Accepted Answer

A)  allow the United States to base nuclear weapons in the country. 
B)  seek membership in the anti-communist U.S.-dominated Asian-Pacific Defense Pact. 
C)  seek closer ties to the Soviet Union. 
D)  publicly apologize to China for the "rape of Nanking." 
E)  continue to allow U.S. troops to be stationed in Japan. 
A)  allow the United States to base nuclear weapons in the country. 
B)  seek membership in the anti-communist U.S.-dominated Asian-Pacific Defense Pact. 
C)  seek closer ties to the Soviet Union. 
D)  publicly apologize to China for the "rape of Nanking." 
E)  continue to allow U.S. troops to be stationed in Japan.

Question 17

How are members to the House of Councilors elected?

Accepted Answer

A)  Through a party list proportional representation method, based on a single nationwide district 
B)  Through a party list proportional representation method, based on districts at the prefecture level 
C)  Through a single nontransferable vote system, based on a single nationwide district 
D)  Through a single nontransferable vote system, based on districts at the prefecture level 
E)  Some by a party list proportional representation method based on a nationwide district and some from prefectures using a single nontransferable vote system 
A)  Through a party list proportional representation method, based on a single nationwide district 
B)  Through a party list proportional representation method, based on districts at the prefecture level 
C)  Through a single nontransferable vote system, based on a single nationwide district 
D)  Through a single nontransferable vote system, based on districts at the prefecture level 
E)  Some by a party list proportional representation method based on a nationwide district and some from prefectures using a single nontransferable vote system

Question 18

Japan is a resource-poor country. How has this affected its economic and foreign policies over the years? Does it continue to influence these policies today, and if so how?

Accepted Answer

Japan's status as a resource-poor countr

Question 19

A factor that led to the Meiji Restoration was

Accepted Answer

A)  the widespread acceptance of democratic ideas. 
B)  a nearly successful invasion of the country by Korea. 
C)  the forced opening of the country by an American fleet. 
D)  the spread of industrialization. 
E)  the rise of the Shogun class. 
A)  the widespread acceptance of democratic ideas. 
B)  a nearly successful invasion of the country by Korea. 
C)  the forced opening of the country by an American fleet. 
D)  the spread of industrialization. 
E)  the rise of the Shogun class.

Question 20

Koenkai are

Accepted Answer

A)  Japanese firms and industries that are publicly or semipublicly owned. 
B)  Japanese private contractors who are increasingly responsible for conducting administrative affairs for the central government. 
C)  highly personalized campaign organizations that carry out constituency services. 
D)  neighborhood associations that manage Japanese polling places during elections. 
E)  Japanese officials employed by the government's central election board. 
A)  Japanese firms and industries that are publicly or semipublicly owned. 
B)  Japanese private contractors who are increasingly responsible for conducting administrative affairs for the central government. 
C)  highly personalized campaign organizations that carry out constituency services. 
D)  neighborhood associations that manage Japanese polling places during elections. 
E)  Japanese officials employed by the government's central election board.

Once seen as a dynamic economic powerhouse, Japan has been, since the 1990s, mired in a lingering economic recession. This has resulted in

A predominant party regime is

Japan's unemployment rate hovers around ____ percent.

Support for the notion that Japan has slid, relative to other countries, in its international economic role and status can be found in all of the following EXCEPT

Which of the following is NOT an example of a significant economic division in Japan?

Discuss how Japan's policy making process does not represent many of the norms and practices typically associated with a parliamentary democracy. What causes this divergence?

Which of the following is NOT true of Japan's political parties?

Which statement about the Japanese social welfare system is NOT correct?

Article 9 , known as the "peace clause", of Japan's Constitution

Which of the following statements about Japan's debt is INCORRECT?

Nearly all of the descendants of contemporary Japan's citizens come from the following places EXCEPT

When we say that Japan is a constitutional monarchy, we mean that

Since the 1990s, Japan has been stuck in a lingering economic downturn. Describe at least five policies that the governments have enacted to reverse this downturn. How successful have these policies been?

Current calls to amend the constitution have focused on all of the following EXCEPT

The 1960 political episode that brought down the Liberal Democrat government of Kishi Nobusuke involved the government's decision to

How are members to the House of Councilors elected?

Japan is a resource-poor country. How has this affected its economic and foreign policies over the years? Does it continue to influence these policies today, and if so how?

A factor that led to the Meiji Restoration was

Koenkai are

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Exam 6: Japan

Once seen as a dynamic economic powerhouse, Japan has been, since the 1990s, mired in a lingering economic recession. This has resulted in

A predominant party regime is

Japan's unemployment rate hovers around ____ percent.

Support for the notion that Japan has slid, relative to other countries, in its international economic role and status can be found in all of the following EXCEPT

Which of the following is NOT an example of a significant economic division in Japan?

Discuss how Japan's policy making process does not represent many of the norms and practices typically associated with a parliamentary democracy. What causes this divergence?

Which of the following is NOT true of Japan's political parties?

Which statement about the Japanese social welfare system is NOT correct?

Article 9 , known as the "peace clause", of Japan's Constitution

Which of the following statements about Japan's debt is INCORRECT?

Nearly all of the descendants of contemporary Japan's citizens come from the following places EXCEPT

When we say that Japan is a constitutional monarchy, we mean that

Since the 1990s, Japan has been stuck in a lingering economic downturn. Describe at least five policies that the governments have enacted to reverse this downturn. How successful have these policies been?

Current calls to amend the constitution have focused on all of the following EXCEPT

The 1960 political episode that brought down the Liberal Democrat government of Kishi Nobusuke involved the government's decision to

How are members to the House of Councilors elected?

Japan is a resource-poor country. How has this affected its economic and foreign policies over the years? Does it continue to influence these policies today, and if so how?

A factor that led to the Meiji Restoration was

Koenkai are

Introducing Comparative Politics

Britian

France

Germany

European Union

India

The United States

Brazil

Mexico

South Africa

Nigeria

The Russian Federation

Iran

China

Filters