Social Studies Praxis Practice Test

The political system of modern Japan is best described as?

1. An autocracy

2. An oligarchy

3. A democracy

4. A confederation

The correct answer is: A democracy

The political system of modern Japan is best described as a democracy. Following World War II, Japan adopted a democratic constitution in 1947, which established a parliamentary system of government. This system ensures that political power is derived from the will of the people, as evidenced by regular elections where citizens vote for their representatives in both the House of Representatives and the House of Councillors. Under this democratic framework, the Emperor serves a ceremonial role, with no governing power, while the Prime Minister is the head of government, elected from among the members of the National Diet. Additionally, fundamental rights and freedoms are protected under the constitution, reflecting democratic principles. In contrast, options such as autocracy, oligarchy, and confederation do not accurately capture the nature of Japan's political system. An autocracy entails centralized control in the hands of a single ruler or party, while an oligarchy suggests governance by a small group, neither of which aligns with Japan’s democratic processes. A confederation typically refers to a union of independent states or groups that retain their sovereignty, which is not applicable to Japan's nation-state structure.