Japanese Politics in Transition

Question 1

The nuclear disaster has revealed serious inadequacies in the regulatory system in operation in the Japanese nuclear power industry. True or False

Answer 1

True

Question 2

Because Japan government policies financially rewards couples for having more children, the country has been able to reverse previous trends and it is experiencing one of the highest birth rates in the world. True or False

Answer 2

False

Question 3

The one area where economic conditions continue to shine for Japan, in spite of the two-decade long recession, is the government’s ability to pay its debts and remain in surplus. True or False

Answer 3

False

Question 4

When it comes to foreign aid, Japan has been called a “penny-pinching” country, unlike the United States which has been the most generous. True or False

Answer 4

a

Question 5

Even after it was driven out of power in 1993, the LDP quickly managed to return to power and stay in power for another decade and a half, although only in coalition with one or more other parties. True or False

Answer 5

True

Question 6

Japan’s graying population problem may be acute, but it is nearly as serious in most advanced industrial nations, especially in Western Europe, and increasingly even elsewhere in East Asia, as in South Korea and China. True or False

Answer 6

True

Question 7

What is the life expectancy for men and women in Japan (as of 2007): a) 72.4 years for men and 78.3 years for women, b) 75.9 years for men and 80.5 years for women, c) 79.0 years for men and 86.1 years for women, d) 83.2 years for men and 91.7 years for women.

Answer 7

c) 79.0 years for men and 86.1 years for women

Question 8

What percent of Japan’s total population are 65 years and older? a) 17%, b) 23%, c) 31%, d) 37%

Answer 8

b) 23%

Question 9

In an effort to increase public revenue, the Japanese government has: a) dramatically cut fraud and abuse in the system, b) introduced a 3-percent value-added tax that was later increased, c) eliminated much of the public health care system, d) dramatically cut military expenditures by 35% across the board.

Answer 9

b) introduced a 3-percent value-added tax that was later increased

Question 10

According to the authors, what are some of the consequences of the mega earthquake that struck Japan in 2011 as it attempts to transition back to normalcy?

a) First, the disaster has cost the nation far more than any other natural disaster has 	ever cost it, to the tune of \_\_\_\_\_ billion or more, 
b) and the bulk of the cost will have to be paid by the Japanese government; that is, 		taxpayers, who are already deep in debt and mired in a \_\_\_\_-\_\_\_\_\_\_\_ long 	recession.
 	c) This additional financial burden is bound to further sap Japan’s \_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_ 	strength and worsen its citizens’ condition of life.

Answer 10

a) $200
b) two-decade
c) economic

Question 11

What was the iron triangle alliance that corrupted the nuclear energy industry in Japan?

a) ANRE \_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_,
b) \_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_ leaders, 
c) and the mostly LDP Atomic Power Tribe \_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_ in the \_\_\_\_\_.

Answer 11

a) bureaucrats
b) industry
c) politicians, Diet