Japan/Korea/SE Asia Exam Prep

Question 1

Why is the Japanese population described as homogenous?

Answer 1

Because most of the people have a common heritage. About 99% of the population are descendants of Japanese ancestors.

Question 2

How does East Asia’s physical geography affect its population distribution.

Answer 2

The geography scatters its population. The volcanic mountains and earthquakes cause some ares to be densely populated. Japan/Yokohama is the world’s largest metropolitan area with over 350,000 people.

Question 3

What is a typhoon?

Answer 3

A tropical hurricane in the Pacific that causes floods and landslides

Question 4

What is the Pacific Ring of Fire?

Answer 4

A region of tectonic activity in the Pacific

Question 5

Where do most people live in Japan (geographically)?

Answer 5

80% of Japan’s population lives on the largest island, Honshu.

Question 6

What are paddy fields?

Answer 6

The wet land on which rice is grown

Question 7

Describe the amount of farmland in Japan.

Answer 7

Only 13% of Japan’s land is arable. Carved terraces allow farmers to maximize their farms’ surface area, but this strategy also requires a lot of physical labor.

Question 8

Why does Japan experience many earthquakes?

Answer 8

Its location on the Pacific Ring of Fire at the juncture of three tectonic plates gives it frequent, low-intensity tremors, as well as occasional volcanic activity and tsunamis.

Question 9

What is Shinto?

Answer 9

An ancient religion in Japan that involves the worship of a clan’s common ancestor, often an animal or god called “kami”.

Question 10

What is Zen Buddhism?

Answer 10

A religion that emphasized the belief that an individual had to live in harmony with nature and that this harmony could be achieved through a deep religious understanding called enlightenment.

Question 11

Who followed Zen Buddhism and why?

Answer 11

The samurai, because it was a useful way to calm oneself before battle. The samurai embraced bodily discipline and meditation.

Question 12

Why did Commodore Perry arrive in Japan in 1853?

Answer 12

He arrived with 4 US warships with the intent of beginning US-Japanese trade.

Question 13

What did Commodore Perry force Japan to do?

Answer 13

To open up trade with the West, primarily the US.

Question 14

What was significant about how Japan funded their industrial growth?

Answer 14

They did it without help from Western countries.

Question 15

What was the Meiji government determined to do with Japan?

Answer 15

They were determined to make Japan a great power capable of competing with the West.

Question 16

What problems faced Japan in the 1920s and 30s?

Answer 16

Japan faced domestic and economic troubles. There was a large population and industrial growth, propaganda, and censorship increased, and the Great Depression also had a significant impact on the expanding Japanese economy.

Question 17

What was the militarist solution to Japanese economic problems at the time?

Answer 17

After the failed military coup, the solution continued to be expansion.

Question 18

What event led to US entry into WWII?

Answer 18

The Japanese bombing on Pearl Harbor on December 7, 1941.

Question 19

Victory over Japan was finally achieved as a result of what event?

Answer 19

The atom bomb droppings on Hiroshima and Nagasaki

Question 20

Name the provisions of the Japanese Constitution.

Answer 20

After WWII, Japan was demilitarized and wartime leaders were tried and executed. The Japanese were required to adopt a new constitution in which the power was given to the people and the emperor was forced to deny his divinity. Japan was barred from warfare except for defense. The US was responsible for providing military protection.

Question 21

What event triggered the Korean War?

Answer 21

North Korea’s surprise attack on June 25, 1950. North Korea opened fire across the 38th parallel.

Question 22

What was a positive effect of the prohibition of the military in Japan?

Answer 22

It gave Japan more opportunities to better their economy.

Question 23

What outside nations or organizations were heavily involved in the Korean War?

Answer 23

The Soviet Union backed the North
The US backed the South
The UN supported the south with “police action”
China entered the war on November 1st, 1950 and backed the North

Question 24

How many times did Seoul change hands during the Korean War?

Answer 24

4 times

Question 25

Compare the industry and economy of North and South Korea.

Answer 25

North Korea has evolved from an agricultural to an industrial society. South Korea’s rapid industrialization has been disrupted by massive labor strikes. North Korea’s economy was initially at an advantage because to had ties with China and the Soviet Union, as well as access to the best industries and hydroelectric power in Korea. South Korea’s economy, on the other hand, has experienced massive growth due to its connections with the US and Japan as well as the development of nuclear power plants to solve its energy problems.

Question 26

Describe 3 differences between North and South Korea.

Answer 26

1) NK is communist; SK is democratic
2) NK is less densely populated (23 million); SK is more densely populated (47 million)
3) NK’s climate is influenced by Chinese mainland; SK’s climate is influenced by surrounding oceans (subtropical)

Question 27

What is a demilitarized zone?

Answer 27

A strip of land on which troops and weapons are not allowed

Question 28

Who is the current leader of North Korea?

Answer 28

Kim Jong Il.

Question 29

Give examples of how European influence shaped SE Asia.

Answer 29

The Portuguese set out to control the spice trade in the 1500s. They captured the most important ports and set up trading posts and disregarded the cultures of the native Indonesians. Spain also used the Philippines as a link between Spain, Asia, and the Americas. There was a revolt against the Spanish by the US, but instead of granting it independence, the US took control. The Dutch and English came to SE Asia and ended the Portuguese control on spice. French occupation of modern-day Vietnam led to the spread of communism and the Vietnam war.

Question 30

Who was the leader of the Vietminh?

Answer 30

Ho Chi Minh

Question 31

Who was Aung San Suu Kyi?

Answer 31

She is the Burmese president of Myanmar’s National league for Democracy.

Question 32

What country has the largest Muslim population?

Answer 32

Indonesia

Question 33

What group killed 15-30% of the Cambodian population in the late 1970s?

Answer 33

The Khmer Rouge

Question 34

What is the political status for each country in the region?

Answer 34

Vietnam: Socialist State
Cambodia: Democracy/Constitutional Monarchy
Laos: Communist State
North Korea: Communist State/Dictatorship
South Korea: Constitutional Democracy

Question 35

How has SE Asian economic growth followed Chinese economic growth?

Answer 35

They both had the strategy of producing low-cost export goods.

Question 36

How have the Thai people maintained their independence over time?

Answer 36

Thailand was located on the border between French and British territory, so they were able to resist European/Communist influence.

Question 37

How many Vietnamese became refugees as a result o the Vietnam war?

Answer 37

Some 800,000 refugees arrived in the US

Question 38

Which country has the largest Muslim population in the world?

Answer 38

Indonesia