Question 1

The Taisho democracy period was characterized by

Accepted Answer

A)  the rise of a popular movement towards democratization of government and the reduction of the power of the authoritarian institutions of the state. 
B)  reforms that led to the decline of the power of wealthy landlords to dominate rural Japan. 
C)  the introduction of Japan's first constitution. 
D)  the introduction of Japan's first political parties. 
E)  All of the above statements are true. 
A)  the rise of a popular movement towards democratization of government and the reduction of the power of the authoritarian institutions of the state. 
B)  reforms that led to the decline of the power of wealthy landlords to dominate rural Japan. 
C)  the introduction of Japan's first constitution. 
D)  the introduction of Japan's first political parties. 
E)  All of the above statements are true. A

Question 2

Relationships among Japan's central government ministries and agencies can be described as

Accepted Answer

A)  intimate and cooperative. 
B)  mutually intrusive and meddlesome. 
C)  mutually independent and exclusionary to the extent of interfering with joint efforts. 
D)  neither particularly cooperative nor uncooperative. 
E)  friendly due to the overlapping nature of their duties and responsibilities. 
A)  intimate and cooperative. 
B)  mutually intrusive and meddlesome. 
C)  mutually independent and exclusionary to the extent of interfering with joint efforts. 
D)  neither particularly cooperative nor uncooperative. 
E)  friendly due to the overlapping nature of their duties and responsibilities. C

Question 3

Which of the following statements is TRUE?

Accepted Answer

A)  Although there are five major parties in Japan, for practical purposes the country is a two-party-dominant system. 
B)  All of Japan's major political parties were formed in the 1950s. 
C)  The Social Democratic Party dominated the Diet throughout most of the post World War II period. 
D)  Most of Japan's political parties are highly factionalized with the divisions primarily involving ideological and policy differences. 
E)  All of the above. 
A)  Although there are five major parties in Japan, for practical purposes the country is a two-party-dominant system. 
B)  All of Japan's major political parties were formed in the 1950s. 
C)  The Social Democratic Party dominated the Diet throughout most of the post World War II period. 
D)  Most of Japan's political parties are highly factionalized with the divisions primarily involving ideological and policy differences. 
E)  All of the above. A

Question 4

For a bill to become a law, it must

Accepted Answer

A)  pass only the House of Representatives. 
B)  pass only the House of Councilors. 
C)  pass both the House of Councilors and the House of Representatives although the latter can override a rejection by the former with a two-thirds majority. 
D)  pass both the House of Councilors and the House of Representatives, although the former can override a rejection by the latter with a two-thirds majority. 
E)  be approved by the cabinet after it passes both houses of the Diet. 
A)  pass only the House of Representatives. 
B)  pass only the House of Councilors. 
C)  pass both the House of Councilors and the House of Representatives although the latter can override a rejection by the former with a two-thirds majority. 
D)  pass both the House of Councilors and the House of Representatives, although the former can override a rejection by the latter with a two-thirds majority. 
E)  be approved by the cabinet after it passes both houses of the Diet.

Question 5

The United States maintains about _____________ troops in Japan.

Accepted Answer

A)  45,000 
B)  100,000 
C)  200,000 
D)  60,000 
E)  90,000 
A)  45,000 
B)  100,000 
C)  200,000 
D)  60,000 
E)  90,000

Question 6

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

Accepted Answer

A)  According to tradition and law, only males are allowed to succeed to the throne. 
B)  Under the current constitution, the emperor serves only a symbolic role as the head of state. 
C)  The issue of patrilineage has never been a matter of debate in the country. 
D)  Japan has the oldest surviving monarchy in the world. 
E)  The current imperial family is quite small. 
A)  According to tradition and law, only males are allowed to succeed to the throne. 
B)  Under the current constitution, the emperor serves only a symbolic role as the head of state. 
C)  The issue of patrilineage has never been a matter of debate in the country. 
D)  Japan has the oldest surviving monarchy in the world. 
E)  The current imperial family is quite small.

Question 7

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 8

The 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 citizens rule on civil cases involving corporations. 
C)  permits persons 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 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 citizens rule on civil cases involving corporations. 
C)  permits persons 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 citizens.

Question 9

The term "twisted" Diet refers to

Accepted Answer

A)  no party being able to form a governing coalition. 
B)  different parties having control of the two houses of parliament. 
C)  the convoluted rules process in the parliament. 
D)  the upside down authority between the parliament and the executive. 
E)  numerous parties winning seats and thus leading to unstable coalitions. 
A)  no party being able to form a governing coalition. 
B)  different parties having control of the two houses of parliament. 
C)  the convoluted rules process in the parliament. 
D)  the upside down authority between the parliament and the executive. 
E)  numerous parties winning seats and thus leading to unstable coalitions.

Question 10

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

Question 11

Which of the following is TRUE?

Accepted Answer

A)  The Four Great Pollution Trials led to the enactment of stiff anti-pollution laws that have substantially reduced pollution in the country. 
B)  The Four Great Pollution laws led to the enactment of stiff anti-pollution laws but these have not substantially reduced pollution in the country. 
C)  Environmental issues have been in the forefront of the public's attention since the 1950s and 1960s. 
D)  Among industrialized countries, Japan has one of the best records in reducing greenhouse gas emissions. 
E)  Although Japan has a large number of nuclear reactors, these supply less than 10 percent of the country's energy. 
A)  The Four Great Pollution Trials led to the enactment of stiff anti-pollution laws that have substantially reduced pollution in the country. 
B)  The Four Great Pollution laws led to the enactment of stiff anti-pollution laws but these have not substantially reduced pollution in the country. 
C)  Environmental issues have been in the forefront of the public's attention since the 1950s and 1960s. 
D)  Among industrialized countries, Japan has one of the best records in reducing greenhouse gas emissions. 
E)  Although Japan has a large number of nuclear reactors, these supply less than 10 percent of the country's energy.

Question 12

Which of the following best describes the role of the Japanese government in the 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)  The only time that it played a significant role in the economy was during the first half of the twentieth century generally corresponding to the Great Depression and World War II. 
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)  The only time that it played a significant role in the economy was during the first half of the twentieth century generally corresponding to the Great Depression and World War II. 
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 13

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 now five major political parties in Japan. 
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 now five major political parties in Japan.

Question 14

Which of the following statements is NOT true?

Accepted Answer

A)  Japan has de facto permanent seats in the International Monetary Fund (IMF) and the World Bank. 
B)  All past governors of the Asian Development Bank have been Japanese. 
C)  Japan is a founding member of the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation forum. 
D)  Japan was prevented from joining the United Nations by the Soviet Union until the late 1980s. 
E)  Japan is the second largest contributor to the UN budget. 
A)  Japan has de facto permanent seats in the International Monetary Fund (IMF) and the World Bank. 
B)  All past governors of the Asian Development Bank have been Japanese. 
C)  Japan is a founding member of the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation forum. 
D)  Japan was prevented from joining the United Nations by the Soviet Union until the late 1980s. 
E)  Japan is the second largest contributor to the UN budget.

Question 15

The Meiji Restoration that toppled the Tokugawa shogunate occurred in

Accepted Answer

A)  1849. 
B)  1871. 
C)  1880. 
D)  1868. 
E)  1853. 
A)  1849. 
B)  1871. 
C)  1880. 
D)  1868. 
E)  1853.

Question 16

Policy coordination, coherence, and effectiveness are often problems associated with the policy process in Japan. First, explain the causes of these problems. Next, assess which of these you feel is the most important explanatory factor and why. Finally, assess to what extent these problems are systemic.

Accepted Answer

The causes of policy coordination, coher

Question 17

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 18

Which of the following is NOT true?

Accepted Answer

A)  Japan typically has a trade deficit with countries that export fuel, foodstuffs, and raw materials. 
B)  Japan makes up its trade deficits with large surpluses to the United States, some European countries, and most Asian countries. 
C)  Japan's import of industrial goods has greatly increased in recent years. 
D)  Japan has never been particularly concerned with increasing intra-regional trade preferring instead to focus on its trade relationship with the United States and other western countries. 
E)  Japan's income from foreign direct investment has been larger than its trade account surplus since 2004. 
A)  Japan typically has a trade deficit with countries that export fuel, foodstuffs, and raw materials. 
B)  Japan makes up its trade deficits with large surpluses to the United States, some European countries, and most Asian countries. 
C)  Japan's import of industrial goods has greatly increased in recent years. 
D)  Japan has never been particularly concerned with increasing intra-regional trade preferring instead to focus on its trade relationship with the United States and other western countries. 
E)  Japan's income from foreign direct investment has been larger than its trade account surplus since 2004.

Question 19

Since the 1990s, Japan has been stuck in a lingering economic recession. First, explain the roots of this. Second, describe the scope of this recession, both in terms of its impact upon the country and upon its role in global affairs. Third, describe efforts undertaken by the Japanese state to reverse this downturn. Finally, explain why these efforts have not produced the desired results.

Accepted Answer

The roots of Japan's economic recession

Question 20

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

Accepted Answer

A)  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)  employment of senior government officials upon their retirement by public or private corporations. 
E)  the widespread belief that Japan has a manifest destiny. 
A)  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)  employment of senior government officials upon their retirement by public or private corporations. 
E)  the widespread belief that Japan has a manifest destiny.

The Taisho democracy period was characterized by

Relationships among Japan's central government ministries and agencies can be described as

Which of the following statements is TRUE?

For a bill to become a law, it must

The United States maintains about _____________ troops in Japan.

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

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?

The Lay Judge System

The term "twisted" Diet refers to

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

Which of the following is TRUE?

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

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

Which of the following statements is NOT true?

The Meiji Restoration that toppled the Tokugawa shogunate occurred in

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

Which of the following is NOT true?

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

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Exam 5: Japan

The Taisho democracy period was characterized by

Relationships among Japan's central government ministries and agencies can be described as

Which of the following statements is TRUE?

For a bill to become a law, it must

The United States maintains about _____________ troops in Japan.

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

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?

The Lay Judge System

The term "twisted" Diet refers to

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

Which of the following is TRUE?

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

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

Which of the following statements is NOT true?

The Meiji Restoration that toppled the Tokugawa shogunate occurred in

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

Which of the following is NOT true?

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

Introducing Comparative Politics

Britain

France

Germany

India

The United States

Russia

Brazil

Mexico

South Africa

Nigeria

Iran

China

Filters