Short answer, Identifications:

Japan's natural resource base (mineral, agricultural, other), ethnic distirbution
Taika, Confucianism, Samurai, bushido, burakumin, Shinto
Matthew Perry, Meiji Restoration, Douglas MacArthur, SCAP,

social values: group/individual, uchi, soto, shame/guilt, examination hell

Japan's constitutional development (1890, 1947)
 suffrage,  status of emperor, balance between executive and parliament
 supreme court  centralization-federal  bureaucracy  Article 9, Ladejinsky, land refrom
 Diet, House of Representatives, House of Councillors,  election system

Money politics, Tanaka, Recruit Cosmos, Shin Kanemaru
iron triangle, LDP, apportionment-malapportionment, party system, Komeito, MITI, Minamata, Genro

ladder of development

"monument," amakudari, settai, yakuza
 

Essays

1. Historically, what has been Japan's natural resource base?  Prior to 1900, what approaches were used to utilize its natural resource base most effectively?

2. What sparked the Meiji restoration?  What was the basic content of the reforms adopted during the Meiji period?

3. Describe Japan's foreign policy from 1895 to 1941.  How has Japan's foreign policy changed?  What is the impact on present policy of the policies before 1941?

4. Compare Japan's constitution of 1890 with its constitution of 1947.  What foreign models were utilized in these constitutions?  What ideas from the U.S. constitution were included in the 1947 constitution?  To what extent were they implemented?

5. Discuss the concept of "money politics," and give a brief history of political corruption in Japan.

6. Explain why 1993 may emerge as a major turning point in Japanese politics.  Give some background to explain why these changes took place in 1993.  Describe the evolution of party politics in the period after 1993.

7. Describe the strategy of economic development Japan has followed in the Post-War years.  What are the potential inherent problems with it?