Unit 20: Paper 3 (HL) — History of Asia & Oceania

Topic 20.11: Japan (1912–1990) Questions

Practice 20 exam-style questions for IB History Topic 20.11. Review the question stems below, then unlock the full Question Bank to access markschemes, model answers, and AI grading.

1Choose1 mark
2026Aimnova original vault - 20.11.1 - Q12
In what year did Japan introduce universal male suffrage?
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2Choose1 mark
2026Aimnova original vault - 20.11.1 - Q14
What was the approximate battleship ratio set for the United States, Britain and Japan by the Five-Power Treaty of 1922?
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3Choose1 mark
2026Aimnova original vault - 20.11.2 - Q11
Choose the correct answer: What event in 1940 directly triggered the US oil embargo against Japan?
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4Choose1 mark
2026Aimnova original vault - 20.11.1 - Q13
Who became Japanese prime minister in 1918 as the first commoner and first party leader to hold the post?
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5Choose1 mark
2026Aimnova original vault - 20.11.2 - Q14
Choose the correct answer: Which government body directed investment into strategic industries such as steel, shipbuilding, cars and electronics during Japan's economic miracle?
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6Choose1 mark
2026Aimnova original vault - 20.11.1 - Q11
Which treaty ended the Anglo-Japanese Alliance that had existed since 1902?
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7Choose1 mark
2026Aimnova original vault - 20.11.1 - Q15
Which event in 1932 ended the practice of appointing party leaders as Japan's prime minister?
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8To what extent15 marks
2026Aimnova original vault - 20.11.1 - Q4
To what extent was the Great Depression responsible for the rise of militarism in Japan by 1932?
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9Choose1 mark
2026Aimnova original vault - 20.11.2 - Q12
Choose the correct answer: Which battle in June 1942 is regarded as the turning point of the Pacific War?
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10Compare and contrast15 marks
2026Aimnova original vault - 20.11.1 - Q10
Compare and contrast the methods used to undermine parliamentary government in Japan with those used to undermine parliamentary government in Germany in the interwar period.
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11Choose1 mark
2026Aimnova original vault - 20.11.2 - Q15
Choose the correct answer: What happened to Japan's 'bubble economy' in 1990-91?
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12Examine15 marks
2026Aimnova original vault - 20.11.2 - Q9
Examine the reasons for, and consequences of, the collapse of Japan's 'bubble economy' in 1990-91.
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13Choose1 mark
2026Aimnova original vault - 20.11.2 - Q13
Choose the correct answer: Who held the position of Supreme Commander for the Allied Powers (SCAP) during the occupation of Japan?
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14Discuss15 marks
2026Aimnova original vault - 20.11.1 - Q9
Discuss the role of ultranationalist ideology in undermining Japanese party government between 1919 and 1932.
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15To what extent15 marks
2026Aimnova original vault - 20.11.2 - Q4
To what extent was the Cold War responsible for the 'reverse course' in US occupation policy towards Japan after 1948?
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16Analyse15 marks
2026Aimnova original vault - 20.11.1 - Q5
Analyse the reasons why the assassinations of Hara Takashi, Hamaguchi Osachi and Inukai Tsuyoshi were significant for Japanese politics between 1921 and 1932.
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17Compare and contrast15 marks
2026Aimnova original vault - 20.11.1 - Q6
Compare and contrast the reasons for the rise of militarism in Japan with the reasons for the rise of an authoritarian, aggressively nationalist regime in Italy in the interwar period.
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18Evaluate15 marks
2026Aimnova original vault - 20.11.1 - Q8
Evaluate the view that constitutional weaknesses, rather than individual events, were the most important reason for the collapse of party government in Japan by 1932.
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19Examine15 marks
2026Aimnova original vault - 20.11.2 - Q1
Examine the causes of the outbreak of war between Japan and the United States in 1941.
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20Evaluate15 marks
2026Aimnova original vault - 20.11.2 - Q2
Evaluate the reasons for Japan's defeat in the Pacific War (1941-1945).
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