Question 1

How many times has the Japanese constitution been amended since its enactment in 1947?

Accepted Answer

A)  Never 
B)  Once 
C)  Twice 
D)  Three times 
E)  Nine times 
A)  Never 
B)  Once 
C)  Twice 
D)  Three times 
E)  Nine times

Question 2

Which of the following is NOT an example of how Japan has sought to reorient its trade patterns within the Asian-Pacific region?

Accepted Answer

A)  Concluding an economic partnership with China 
B)  Concluding economic partnership agreements with India, Mexico, and Peru 
C)  Entering into negotiations to create an Asia-Pacific free trade zone 
D)  Entering into a dialogue with China and South Korea concerning trans-border air pollution 
E)  Encouraging private investment in the region 
A)  Concluding an economic partnership with China 
B)  Concluding economic partnership agreements with India, Mexico, and Peru 
C)  Entering into negotiations to create an Asia-Pacific free trade zone 
D)  Entering into a dialogue with China and South Korea concerning trans-border air pollution 
E)  Encouraging private investment in the region

Question 3

In 2012, Japan's defense budget ranked ____________ in the world.

Accepted Answer

A)  fourth 
B)  fifth 
C)  sixth 
D)  seventh 
E)  eighth 
A)  fourth 
B)  fifth 
C)  sixth 
D)  seventh 
E)  eighth

Question 4

A significant impact of the Meiji Restoration and the Taisho democracy period was

Accepted Answer

A)  the democratization of government and the reduction of the power of the authoritarian institutions of the Japanese state. 
B)  Japan turning inward and isolating itself from the rest of the world. 
C)  the introduction of Japan's first constitution. 
D)  the elimination of the political power of rural landlords and industrial conglomerates. 
E)  moving the capital to Kyoto. 
A)  the democratization of government and the reduction of the power of the authoritarian institutions of the Japanese state. 
B)  Japan turning inward and isolating itself from the rest of the world. 
C)  the introduction of Japan's first constitution. 
D)  the elimination of the political power of rural landlords and industrial conglomerates. 
E)  moving the capital to Kyoto.

Question 5

Which of the following is CORRECT about the rapid aging of Japan's population?

Accepted Answer

A)  It is the result of a combination of a high life expectancy and a low birthrate. 
B)  It means that there is a significant shortfall in the number of workers. 
C)  It has led to increased government spending not only on social security and health care for the elderly but also on birthrate-boosting efforts. 
D)  Although other industrialized countries are also "graying," the situation is most extreme in Japan. 
E)  All of these 
A)  It is the result of a combination of a high life expectancy and a low birthrate. 
B)  It means that there is a significant shortfall in the number of workers. 
C)  It has led to increased government spending not only on social security and health care for the elderly but also on birthrate-boosting efforts. 
D)  Although other industrialized countries are also "graying," the situation is most extreme in Japan. 
E)  All of these

Question 6

Which of the following statements about Japan's historical economic performance is NOT true?

Accepted Answer

A)  Japan's economy had grown steadily from the late 1860s through the Great Depression. 
B)  Although hurt by the Great Depression, Japan recovered quickly and by 1941 was one of the world's fastest growing economies. 
C)  Previous to the occupation following World War II, the Japanese domestic market was rather small. 
D)  The post-World War II occupation brought about reforms that led to the substantial reduction of the concentration of economic power in the country and the expansion of the domestic market. 
E)  Japan did not achieve a favorable trade balance until after WWII. 
A)  Japan's economy had grown steadily from the late 1860s through the Great Depression. 
B)  Although hurt by the Great Depression, Japan recovered quickly and by 1941 was one of the world's fastest growing economies. 
C)  Previous to the occupation following World War II, the Japanese domestic market was rather small. 
D)  The post-World War II occupation brought about reforms that led to the substantial reduction of the concentration of economic power in the country and the expansion of the domestic market. 
E)  Japan did not achieve a favorable trade balance until after WWII.

Question 7

The Allied occupation of Japan ended in

Accepted Answer

A)  1952. 
B)  1949. 
C)  1950. 
D)  1955. 
E)  1948. 
A)  1952. 
B)  1949. 
C)  1950. 
D)  1955. 
E)  1948.

Question 8

Which of the following BEST characterizes the impact of press clubs on the Japanese mass media?

Accepted Answer

A)  They serve to protect the media from undue government harassment. 
B)  They suppress news critical of large and influential organizations, such as government agencies and business corporations. 
C)  They provide a network through which reporters can build close ties with one another. 
D)  They provide a network through which reporters can connect to government bureaucracies and private firms. 
E)  All of these. 
A)  They serve to protect the media from undue government harassment. 
B)  They suppress news critical of large and influential organizations, such as government agencies and business corporations. 
C)  They provide a network through which reporters can build close ties with one another. 
D)  They provide a network through which reporters can connect to government bureaucracies and private firms. 
E)  All of these.

Question 9

Which of the following is NOT true of the Japanese criminal system?

Accepted Answer

A)  Japan is a relatively crime-free society. 
B)  Japan has a very high conviction rate. 
C)  In Japan, suspects have a constitutional right to counsel. 
D)  Japan's criminal system is highly centralized. 
E)  Some have criticized Japan's reliance on coerced confessions. 
A)  Japan is a relatively crime-free society. 
B)  Japan has a very high conviction rate. 
C)  In Japan, suspects have a constitutional right to counsel. 
D)  Japan's criminal system is highly centralized. 
E)  Some have criticized Japan's reliance on coerced confessions.

Question 10

Which of the following statements about Japanese women is NOT true?

Accepted Answer

A)  Japanese women account for three-quarters of the country's nonregular workers. 
B)  The average Japanese female worker earns about 60% of what their male counterpart is paid. 
C)  There are significantly less women in managerial roles in Japan in comparison to other industrialized countries. 
D)  Although Japan passed an Equal Opportunity Law in 1987, it has had little impact in closing the economic gender gap. 
E)  Japanese women are not as highly educated as Japanese men. 
A)  Japanese women account for three-quarters of the country's nonregular workers. 
B)  The average Japanese female worker earns about 60% of what their male counterpart is paid. 
C)  There are significantly less women in managerial roles in Japan in comparison to other industrialized countries. 
D)  Although Japan passed an Equal Opportunity Law in 1987, it has had little impact in closing the economic gender gap. 
E)  Japanese women are not as highly educated as Japanese men.

Question 11

Which of the following is NOT true of the labor movement in Japan?

Accepted Answer

A)  The Allied occupation encouraged unions as a form of democratizing Japanese politics. 
B)  Unions were instrumental in winning concessions over wages and working conditions. 
C)  The rate of unionization has fallen steadily since the 1970s. 
D)  The number of labor disputes, like strikes and walkouts, has fallen dramatically since the 1970s to the point that they are almost nonexistent today. 
E)  About one-third of Japan's urban labor force is unionized. 
A)  The Allied occupation encouraged unions as a form of democratizing Japanese politics. 
B)  Unions were instrumental in winning concessions over wages and working conditions. 
C)  The rate of unionization has fallen steadily since the 1970s. 
D)  The number of labor disputes, like strikes and walkouts, has fallen dramatically since the 1970s to the point that they are almost nonexistent today. 
E)  About one-third of Japan's urban labor force is unionized.

Question 12

Which of the following about Japanese environmental politics is NOT true?

Accepted Answer

A)  The Four Great Pollution Trials led to the enactment of stiff anti-pollution laws, which have not been wholly successful. 
B)  Since the 1990s, public attention has generally shifted away from environmental issues. 
C)  One reason Japan turned to nuclear power was because it was seen as a reliable and affordable source of energy. 
D)  Since the Fukushima nuclear disaster, all of Japan's nuclear reactors have been taken offline. 
E)  Japan has not signed the Kyoto Protocol, which attempts to reduce greenhouse gas emissions around the world. 
A)  The Four Great Pollution Trials led to the enactment of stiff anti-pollution laws, which have not been wholly successful. 
B)  Since the 1990s, public attention has generally shifted away from environmental issues. 
C)  One reason Japan turned to nuclear power was because it was seen as a reliable and affordable source of energy. 
D)  Since the Fukushima nuclear disaster, all of Japan's nuclear reactors have been taken offline. 
E)  Japan has not signed the Kyoto Protocol, which attempts to reduce greenhouse gas emissions around the world.

Question 13

How is the Japanese prime minister elected?

Accepted Answer

A)  By popular vote of the Japanese electorate 
B)  By a vote in both chambers of parliament, although the lower chamber's selection prevails if the two votes produce different candidates 
C)  Through "back room deals" among the various parties in the parliament producing the candidate that is essentially every party's second choice 
D)  By a vote in the lower house of the parliament 
E)  By a vote in the lower house of parliament that must be subsequently approved by the upper house 
A)  By popular vote of the Japanese electorate 
B)  By a vote in both chambers of parliament, although the lower chamber's selection prevails if the two votes produce different candidates 
C)  Through "back room deals" among the various parties in the parliament producing the candidate that is essentially every party's second choice 
D)  By a vote in the lower house of the parliament 
E)  By a vote in the lower house of parliament that must be subsequently approved by the upper house

Question 14

Japan can be described as

Accepted Answer

A)  a constitutional monarchy in which the monarch exercises only a symbolic role. 
B)  a unitary state in which provinces and municipalities are subordinate to the national government. 
C)  a parliamentary democracy in which the people exercise their sovereignty through elected officials in the national legislature. 
D)  a parliamentary democracy in which the prime minister and cabinet, answerable to the legislature, serve as the country's executive. 
E)  all of the above. 
A)  a constitutional monarchy in which the monarch exercises only a symbolic role. 
B)  a unitary state in which provinces and municipalities are subordinate to the national government. 
C)  a parliamentary democracy in which the people exercise their sovereignty through elected officials in the national legislature. 
D)  a parliamentary democracy in which the prime minister and cabinet, answerable to the legislature, serve as the country's executive. 
E)  all of the above.

Question 15

Historically speaking, the process used to pick prime ministers in postwar Japan has tended to produce prime ministers who

Accepted Answer

A)  led a particular faction of the party. 
B)  had no previous experience in government or party leadership positions. 
C)  were strongly associated with the outgoing prime minister. 
D)  were essentially chosen by the consensus of the leaders of various party factions and thus essentially everyone's second choice. 
E)  were adept at manipulating public opinion. 
A)  led a particular faction of the party. 
B)  had no previous experience in government or party leadership positions. 
C)  were strongly associated with the outgoing prime minister. 
D)  were essentially chosen by the consensus of the leaders of various party factions and thus essentially everyone's second choice. 
E)  were adept at manipulating public opinion.

Question 16

Japan's postwar constitution was drafted by

Accepted Answer

A)  a group of Japanese lawyers. 
B)  American lawyers. 
C)  a group of lawyers from all of the Allied occupying powers. 
D)  a commission comprised of Japanese and American lawyers. 
E)  American lawyers with the assistance of British lawyers. 
A)  a group of Japanese lawyers. 
B)  American lawyers. 
C)  a group of lawyers from all of the Allied occupying powers. 
D)  a commission comprised of Japanese and American lawyers. 
E)  American lawyers with the assistance of British lawyers.

Question 17

Between 1955 and 2013, all but five of Japan's prime ministers came from the

Accepted Answer

A)  Social Democratic Party. 
B)  Liberal Democratic Party. 
C)  Democratic Party of Japan. 
D)  Republican Party of Japan. 
E)  Liberal Party. 
A)  Social Democratic Party. 
B)  Liberal Democratic Party. 
C)  Democratic Party of Japan. 
D)  Republican Party of Japan. 
E)  Liberal Party.

Question 18

Which of the following about Japan's keiretsu is NOT true?

Accepted Answer

A)  Keiretsu may be organized vertically or horizontally. 
B)  Some of Japan's trading partners contend that the relationships among keiretsu member firms is harmful to free trade. 
C)  Since the late 1990s, most keiretsu links have become more entrenched in response to the challenges associated with globalization. 
D)  Keiretsu can trace their origins back to the pre-World War II zaibatsu conglomerates. 
E)  The Toyota group is an example of a vertical keiretsu . 
A)  Keiretsu may be organized vertically or horizontally. 
B)  Some of Japan's trading partners contend that the relationships among keiretsu member firms is harmful to free trade. 
C)  Since the late 1990s, most keiretsu links have become more entrenched in response to the challenges associated with globalization. 
D)  Keiretsu can trace their origins back to the pre-World War II zaibatsu conglomerates. 
E)  The Toyota group is an example of a vertical keiretsu .

Question 19

Members to the Japanese House of Representatives are elected using a mixed member proportional (MMP) system, which means that

Accepted Answer

A)  a portion of the members (about one-third) are appointed by party leaders rather than being elected. 
B)  each voter casts two ballots, one for a candidate in a single member district and one for a party in a proportional representation (PR) district. 
C)  voters in urban areas use a PR system, while voters in rural areas use a single member plurality (SMP) system. 
D)  voters in urban areas use a SMP system, while those in rural areas use a PR system. 
E)  each voter casts one ballot for a particular candidate and that vote may not be transferred to another candidate even of the same party. 
A)  a portion of the members (about one-third) are appointed by party leaders rather than being elected. 
B)  each voter casts two ballots, one for a candidate in a single member district and one for a party in a proportional representation (PR) district. 
C)  voters in urban areas use a PR system, while voters in rural areas use a single member plurality (SMP) system. 
D)  voters in urban areas use a SMP system, while those in rural areas use a PR system. 
E)  each voter casts one ballot for a particular candidate and that vote may not be transferred to another candidate even of the same party.

Question 20

Japan first achieved a favorable trade balance, meaning it exported more than it imported, during

Accepted Answer

A)  the Great Depression of the 1930s. 
B)  World War I. 
C)  the Tokugawa shogunate. 
D)  the Taisho democracy. 
E)  the Korean War. 
A)  the Great Depression of the 1930s. 
B)  World War I. 
C)  the Tokugawa shogunate. 
D)  the Taisho democracy. 
E)  the Korean War.

How many times has the Japanese constitution been amended since its enactment in 1947?

Which of the following is NOT an example of how Japan has sought to reorient its trade patterns within the Asian-Pacific region?

In 2012, Japan's defense budget ranked ____________ in the world.

A significant impact of the Meiji Restoration and the Taisho democracy period was

Which of the following is CORRECT about the rapid aging of Japan's population?

Which of the following statements about Japan's historical economic performance is NOT true?

The Allied occupation of Japan ended in

Which of the following BEST characterizes the impact of press clubs on the Japanese mass media?

Which of the following is NOT true of the Japanese criminal system?

Which of the following statements about Japanese women is NOT true?

Which of the following is NOT true of the labor movement in Japan?

Which of the following about Japanese environmental politics is NOT true?

How is the Japanese prime minister elected?

Japan can be described as

Historically speaking, the process used to pick prime ministers in postwar Japan has tended to produce prime ministers who

Japan's postwar constitution was drafted by

Between 1955 and 2013, all but five of Japan's prime ministers came from the

Which of the following about Japan's keiretsu is NOT true?

Members to the Japanese House of Representatives are elected using a mixed member proportional (MMP) system, which means that

Japan first achieved a favorable trade balance, meaning it exported more than it imported, during

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Exam 6: Japan

How many times has the Japanese constitution been amended since its enactment in 1947?

Which of the following is NOT an example of how Japan has sought to reorient its trade patterns within the Asian-Pacific region?

In 2012, Japan's defense budget ranked ____________ in the world.

A significant impact of the Meiji Restoration and the Taisho democracy period was

Which of the following is CORRECT about the rapid aging of Japan's population?

Which of the following statements about Japan's historical economic performance is NOT true?

The Allied occupation of Japan ended in

Which of the following BEST characterizes the impact of press clubs on the Japanese mass media?

Which of the following is NOT true of the Japanese criminal system?

Which of the following statements about Japanese women is NOT true?

Which of the following is NOT true of the labor movement in Japan?

Which of the following about Japanese environmental politics is NOT true?

How is the Japanese prime minister elected?

Japan can be described as

Historically speaking, the process used to pick prime ministers in postwar Japan has tended to produce prime ministers who

Japan's postwar constitution was drafted by

Between 1955 and 2013, all but five of Japan's prime ministers came from the

Which of the following about Japan's keiretsu is NOT true?

Members to the Japanese House of Representatives are elected using a mixed member proportional (MMP) system, which means that

Japan first achieved a favorable trade balance, meaning it exported more than it imported, during

Introducing Comparative Politics

Britian

France

Germany

European Union

India

The United States

Brazil

Mexico

South Africa

Nigeria

The Russian Federation

Iran

China

Filters