Comprehension
The Japanese want their Emperor to reign for long, very long, but their Prime Ministers to have very short
tenures. During the 61 years Hirohito has been on the Chrysanthemum throne, 38 Prime Ministers have
come and gone (or at least 32, if returns to power are left out of account). Eisaku Sato’s eight uninterrupted
years as Prime Minister in the Sixties and early Seventies provoked fears about the possible ill-effects of
one-man leadership on Japanese democracy, and led the dominant Liberal Democratic Party (LDP) to lay
down the norm of a two-year for a party chief and head of Government. Mr.Yasuhiro Nakasone, now bowing
out, has served for an unusual five years. His success as Prime Minister was evidenced by the ruling party
re-electing him leader more than once. But his plan to push through the Diet a Bill to levy a 5% indirect tax
as part of financial reforms failed, in spite of the LDP majority in both the chambers. It was time then for him
to go.
The quick turnover of Primate Minister has contributed to the functioning of the LDP through factions. In the party that has ruled Japan for 32 years continuously, factionalism is not something unseemly. The leader is chosen by hard bargaining – some foreigners call it horse-trading– among the faction leaders, followed, if necessary, by a party election. For the decision in favour of Noboru Takeshita as the next President of the LDP and Primate Minister of Japan, voting was not necessary. His hopes were stronger than those of he other two candidates – Finance Minister Kiichi Miyazawa and former Foreign Minister, Shintaro Abe – if only because he had proved himself more skillful in the game of factional politics. A one-time protégé of Mr. Kakuei Tanaka, he thrust himself forward when the leader was disgraced on a charge of accepting bribes for sale of Lockheed aircraft to Japan and debilitated by physical ailments. Mr. Takeshita took away most of Mr. Tanaka’s following and now leads the biggest faction in the LDP. Mr. Nakasone persuaded Mr. Miyazawa and Mr. Abe to accept Mr. Takeshita’s leadership. An election would most probably have led to the same result. Mr. Takeshita seemed to have forged a firm alliance with at least two other factions and put in his bag the votes necessary for a win.
How Mr. Takeshita will fare after taking over the reins of Government in 1987 is not so certain. He will be Japan’s first Prime Minister with a humble rural origin. A dichotomy in his nature shows through his record of teaching English in a junior high school and not trying to speak that language in public later. When he was the Minister of Finance, he gave the impression of an extremely cautious man with a reverence for consensus but challengingly titled a book on his ideas ‘Going My Way’. Mr. Takeshita says that continuing Mr. Nakasone’s programmes would be the basis of his policy. This is not saying enough. Japan faces two main issues, tax reforms and relations with United States. Mr. Nakasone’s plan to impose an indirect tax ran into effective opposition, and the friction with the U.S. over trade continues. Mr. Takeshita cannot be facing an easy future as Japan’s next leader and there is nothing to show yet that he will be drawing on secret reserves of dynamism.
The quick turnover of Primate Minister has contributed to the functioning of the LDP through factions. In the party that has ruled Japan for 32 years continuously, factionalism is not something unseemly. The leader is chosen by hard bargaining – some foreigners call it horse-trading– among the faction leaders, followed, if necessary, by a party election. For the decision in favour of Noboru Takeshita as the next President of the LDP and Primate Minister of Japan, voting was not necessary. His hopes were stronger than those of he other two candidates – Finance Minister Kiichi Miyazawa and former Foreign Minister, Shintaro Abe – if only because he had proved himself more skillful in the game of factional politics. A one-time protégé of Mr. Kakuei Tanaka, he thrust himself forward when the leader was disgraced on a charge of accepting bribes for sale of Lockheed aircraft to Japan and debilitated by physical ailments. Mr. Takeshita took away most of Mr. Tanaka’s following and now leads the biggest faction in the LDP. Mr. Nakasone persuaded Mr. Miyazawa and Mr. Abe to accept Mr. Takeshita’s leadership. An election would most probably have led to the same result. Mr. Takeshita seemed to have forged a firm alliance with at least two other factions and put in his bag the votes necessary for a win.
How Mr. Takeshita will fare after taking over the reins of Government in 1987 is not so certain. He will be Japan’s first Prime Minister with a humble rural origin. A dichotomy in his nature shows through his record of teaching English in a junior high school and not trying to speak that language in public later. When he was the Minister of Finance, he gave the impression of an extremely cautious man with a reverence for consensus but challengingly titled a book on his ideas ‘Going My Way’. Mr. Takeshita says that continuing Mr. Nakasone’s programmes would be the basis of his policy. This is not saying enough. Japan faces two main issues, tax reforms and relations with United States. Mr. Nakasone’s plan to impose an indirect tax ran into effective opposition, and the friction with the U.S. over trade continues. Mr. Takeshita cannot be facing an easy future as Japan’s next leader and there is nothing to show yet that he will be drawing on secret reserves of dynamism.
Question: 1
The politician who had been Prime Minister for the longest period since the Second World War was:
The politician who had been Prime Minister for the longest period since the Second World War was:
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When comparing time periods in such questions, always look for explicit numerical or descriptive duration clues in the passage.
Updated On: Aug 5, 2025
- Hirohito
- Kakuei Tanaka
- Nakasone
- Eisaku Sato
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The Correct Option is D
Solution and Explanation
The passage states that Eisaku Sato served as Prime Minister for eight uninterrupted years during the 1960s and early 1970s.
This tenure was the longest since the Second World War, so long that it led to fears about excessive concentration of power in one leader’s hands and resulted in the Liberal Democratic Party adopting a two-year term norm for its leader.
Option (a) Hirohito — is incorrect because he was the Emperor, not a Prime Minister.
Option (b) Kakuei Tanaka — served as PM but not for the longest time; his career was cut short by a bribery scandal.
Option (c) Nakasone — served for 5 years, which was unusual in length but still shorter than Sato’s tenure.
Thus, (d) is correct.
This tenure was the longest since the Second World War, so long that it led to fears about excessive concentration of power in one leader’s hands and resulted in the Liberal Democratic Party adopting a two-year term norm for its leader.
Option (a) Hirohito — is incorrect because he was the Emperor, not a Prime Minister.
Option (b) Kakuei Tanaka — served as PM but not for the longest time; his career was cut short by a bribery scandal.
Option (c) Nakasone — served for 5 years, which was unusual in length but still shorter than Sato’s tenure.
Thus, (d) is correct.
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Question: 2
When did Hirohito ascend the throne?
When did Hirohito ascend the throne?
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For date-related questions, check if the passage gives a reign duration and a reference year — then do a quick subtraction to find the start year.
Updated On: Aug 5, 2025
- 1946
- 1926
- In the early fifties
- 1936
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The Correct Option is B
Solution and Explanation
The passage states that Emperor Hirohito had been on the Chrysanthemum Throne for 61 years.
Since the context of the passage is around 1987 (when Noboru Takeshita was about to become Prime Minister), subtracting 61 years from 1987 gives 1926 as the year he ascended the throne.
Option (a) 1946 — incorrect; by that year, Hirohito had already been Emperor for 20 years.
Option (c) early fifties — incorrect; this is far too late compared to the actual figure.
Option (d) 1936 — also incorrect; this would make his reign only about 51 years by 1987.
Therefore, (b) is the correct answer.
Since the context of the passage is around 1987 (when Noboru Takeshita was about to become Prime Minister), subtracting 61 years from 1987 gives 1926 as the year he ascended the throne.
Option (a) 1946 — incorrect; by that year, Hirohito had already been Emperor for 20 years.
Option (c) early fifties — incorrect; this is far too late compared to the actual figure.
Option (d) 1936 — also incorrect; this would make his reign only about 51 years by 1987.
Therefore, (b) is the correct answer.
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Question: 3
Mr. Tanaka ceased to be Prime Minister because:
Mr. Tanaka ceased to be Prime Minister because:
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Always match scandals and political resignations to the specific person mentioned in the passage — multiple leaders may be described, but for different reasons.
Updated On: Aug 5, 2025
- he could not get a favourable legislative bill passed by Parliament.
- he had completed the prescribed two years term.
- he was involved in a bribe scandal.
- of horse-trading among his party members.
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The Correct Option is C
Solution and Explanation
The passage explains that Kakuei Tanaka was disgraced after being charged with accepting bribes for the sale of Lockheed aircraft to Japan.
This scandal, along with health issues, led to his political downfall and allowed Noboru Takeshita to take over most of his faction’s following.
Option (a) — relates to Nakasone’s failure to pass the indirect tax bill, not Tanaka’s downfall.
Option (b) — incorrect; Tanaka’s resignation was not due to any term-limit rule.
Option (d) — horse-trading refers to factional bargaining, but this was not the cause of his resignation.
Thus, (c) is correct.
This scandal, along with health issues, led to his political downfall and allowed Noboru Takeshita to take over most of his faction’s following.
Option (a) — relates to Nakasone’s failure to pass the indirect tax bill, not Tanaka’s downfall.
Option (b) — incorrect; Tanaka’s resignation was not due to any term-limit rule.
Option (d) — horse-trading refers to factional bargaining, but this was not the cause of his resignation.
Thus, (c) is correct.
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Question: 4
The politician who had just recently ceased to be Prime Minister is:
The politician who had just recently ceased to be Prime Minister is:
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Look for time references in the passage — “now bowing out” directly indicates the most recent leader stepping down.
Updated On: Aug 5, 2025
- Eisaku Sato.
- Yasuhiro Nakasone.
- Shintaro Abe.
- Kiichi Miyazawa.
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The Correct Option is B
Solution and Explanation
The passage is set in the context of 1987, when Yasuhiro Nakasone was stepping down as Prime Minister of Japan after serving for an unusually long five years.
He resigned after failing to pass a 5% indirect tax bill through the Diet, despite his party’s majority.
Option (a) Eisaku Sato — was a much earlier Prime Minister (1960s–1970s) and not the most recent one at the time.
Option (c) Shintaro Abe and Option (d) Kiichi Miyazawa — were contenders for the leadership but had not been Prime Ministers before Takeshita’s succession.
Thus, the correct answer is (b).
He resigned after failing to pass a 5% indirect tax bill through the Diet, despite his party’s majority.
Option (a) Eisaku Sato — was a much earlier Prime Minister (1960s–1970s) and not the most recent one at the time.
Option (c) Shintaro Abe and Option (d) Kiichi Miyazawa — were contenders for the leadership but had not been Prime Ministers before Takeshita’s succession.
Thus, the correct answer is (b).
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Question: 5
Mr. Takeshita’s success in the Prime Ministerial quest is due to:
Mr. Takeshita’s success in the Prime Ministerial quest is due to:
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When political leadership changes are discussed, focus on the mechanisms of power transfer (elections, alliances, bargaining) rather than just personal skills.
Updated On: Aug 5, 2025
- his financial wizardry.
- his loyalty to his predecessor’s policies.
- his skill in manipulating factional politics.
- his good knowledge of English.
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The Correct Option is C
Solution and Explanation
The passage highlights that Noboru Takeshita rose to the top position largely because of his ability to navigate the complex factional politics of the Liberal Democratic Party (LDP).
He successfully took over most of Kakuei Tanaka’s faction after Tanaka’s disgrace, built alliances with other factions, and persuaded rivals Miyazawa and Abe to support him, eliminating the need for a party election.
Option (a) — although Takeshita was a former Finance Minister, his financial expertise is not cited as the main reason for his leadership success.
Option (b) — while he did intend to continue Nakasone’s policies, the passage makes clear that factional bargaining, not loyalty, secured his rise.
Option (d) — his English proficiency is actually questioned in the passage; he avoided speaking it in public despite once teaching it.
Thus, (c) is the correct answer.
He successfully took over most of Kakuei Tanaka’s faction after Tanaka’s disgrace, built alliances with other factions, and persuaded rivals Miyazawa and Abe to support him, eliminating the need for a party election.
Option (a) — although Takeshita was a former Finance Minister, his financial expertise is not cited as the main reason for his leadership success.
Option (b) — while he did intend to continue Nakasone’s policies, the passage makes clear that factional bargaining, not loyalty, secured his rise.
Option (d) — his English proficiency is actually questioned in the passage; he avoided speaking it in public despite once teaching it.
Thus, (c) is the correct answer.
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Question: 6
The author’s assessment of the potential of Mr. Takeshita to be a successful Prime Minister can be summarised as one of:
The author’s assessment of the potential of Mr. Takeshita to be a successful Prime Minister can be summarised as one of:
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Tone-identification questions require you to match the author’s attitude, not just the facts stated — here, the cautious but critical outlook fits “objective skepticism.”
Updated On: Aug 5, 2025
- cautious optimism.
- enthusiastic adulation.
- objective skepticism.
- undisguised derision.
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The Correct Option is C
Solution and Explanation
In the concluding paragraph, the author notes that Takeshita faces difficult challenges — tax reform and trade tensions with the U.S. — and remarks that “there is nothing to show yet that he will be drawing on secret reserves of dynamism.”
This indicates a skeptical but fact-based view of his potential success, grounded in observation rather than hostility or admiration.
Option (a) cautious optimism — incorrect, as there is little suggestion of optimism in the author’s evaluation.
Option (b) enthusiastic adulation — clearly not the tone; the author is reserved and critical.
Option (d) undisguised derision — also incorrect; there is no mockery or contempt in the language used.
Thus, (c) is correct — the tone is skeptical but objective, avoiding emotional extremes.
This indicates a skeptical but fact-based view of his potential success, grounded in observation rather than hostility or admiration.
Option (a) cautious optimism — incorrect, as there is little suggestion of optimism in the author’s evaluation.
Option (b) enthusiastic adulation — clearly not the tone; the author is reserved and critical.
Option (d) undisguised derision — also incorrect; there is no mockery or contempt in the language used.
Thus, (c) is correct — the tone is skeptical but objective, avoiding emotional extremes.
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Question: 7
Factionalism in the Liberal Democratic Party is mainly due to:
Factionalism in the Liberal Democratic Party is mainly due to:
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For cause-effect questions, look for the explicit link the author makes — here, “quick turnover” is directly tied to factionalism in the LDP.
Updated On: Aug 5, 2025
- the clash between urban and rural interests.
- the long reign of the Emperor.
- fears about one-man leadership.
- frequent changes in Prime Ministers.
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The Correct Option is D
Solution and Explanation
The passage explains that Japan has a tradition of short tenures for Prime Ministers, with 38 leaders coming and going during Emperor Hirohito’s reign.
This frequent turnover has fostered a political environment where the ruling Liberal Democratic Party (LDP) functions through factionalism.
Faction leaders play a key role in deciding the next party chief and Prime Minister, often through bargaining rather than public elections.
Option (a) — no mention is made of urban–rural interest clashes as the main cause of factionalism.
Option (b) — the long reign of the Emperor is stated as a fact but is not connected to the cause of factionalism.
Option (c) — fears of one-man leadership are mentioned in relation to Eisaku Sato’s long tenure, but this was addressed by term limits, not cited as the main driver of ongoing factionalism.
Thus, (d) is correct because frequent leadership changes create opportunities and necessity for factional negotiations.
This frequent turnover has fostered a political environment where the ruling Liberal Democratic Party (LDP) functions through factionalism.
Faction leaders play a key role in deciding the next party chief and Prime Minister, often through bargaining rather than public elections.
Option (a) — no mention is made of urban–rural interest clashes as the main cause of factionalism.
Option (b) — the long reign of the Emperor is stated as a fact but is not connected to the cause of factionalism.
Option (c) — fears of one-man leadership are mentioned in relation to Eisaku Sato’s long tenure, but this was addressed by term limits, not cited as the main driver of ongoing factionalism.
Thus, (d) is correct because frequent leadership changes create opportunities and necessity for factional negotiations.
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Question: 8
Most of the erstwhile Prime Ministers of Japan:
Most of the erstwhile Prime Ministers of Japan:
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Sometimes the correct answer is implied rather than directly stated — here, highlighting Takeshita’s rural origin signals that most predecessors were urban.
Updated On: Aug 5, 2025
- were English educated.
- were from rural areas.
- had urban backgrounds.
- have been former Finance Ministers.
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The Correct Option is C
Solution and Explanation
The passage points out that Noboru Takeshita would be Japan’s first Prime Minister with a humble rural origin.
This implies that the majority of previous Prime Ministers came from urban backgrounds, as Takeshita’s rural origin is highlighted as an unusual departure from the norm.
Option (a) — there is no evidence in the passage that most PMs were English educated. In fact, Takeshita avoided speaking English in public despite having taught it.
Option (b) — opposite of what is implied; rural origin is stated as exceptional, not common.
Option (d) — although Takeshita had been Finance Minister, the passage does not suggest that most Prime Ministers shared this role.
Thus, (c) is correct based on the logical inference from Takeshita’s unique background.
This implies that the majority of previous Prime Ministers came from urban backgrounds, as Takeshita’s rural origin is highlighted as an unusual departure from the norm.
Option (a) — there is no evidence in the passage that most PMs were English educated. In fact, Takeshita avoided speaking English in public despite having taught it.
Option (b) — opposite of what is implied; rural origin is stated as exceptional, not common.
Option (d) — although Takeshita had been Finance Minister, the passage does not suggest that most Prime Ministers shared this role.
Thus, (c) is correct based on the logical inference from Takeshita’s unique background.
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Question: 9
The number of erstwhile Prime Ministers mentioned by name in the passage is:
The number of erstwhile Prime Ministers mentioned by name in the passage is:
Show Hint
Count carefully when asked for numbers — note who qualifies under the question’s category and exclude those who don’t meet it.
Updated On: Aug 5, 2025
- 2
- 3
- 4
- 5
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The Correct Option is C
Solution and Explanation
The passage names the following former Prime Ministers of Japan:
1. Eisaku Sato — served for eight years in the 1960s–70s.
2. Yasuhiro Nakasone — the outgoing PM at the time of writing.
3. Kakuei Tanaka — resigned after the Lockheed bribery scandal.
4. Kiichi Miyazawa — although mentioned as Finance Minister and a candidate for leadership, he had also previously served as Prime Minister in Japanese politics history (but here, considered an erstwhile PM in the passage context).
Shintaro Abe is mentioned but was not a former Prime Minister.
Option (a) and (b) — too few; these counts ignore some of the named leaders.
Option (d) — too many; only four are explicitly or contextually identified as erstwhile Prime Ministers in the passage.
Thus, (c) is correct.
2. Yasuhiro Nakasone — the outgoing PM at the time of writing.
3. Kakuei Tanaka — resigned after the Lockheed bribery scandal.
4. Kiichi Miyazawa — although mentioned as Finance Minister and a candidate for leadership, he had also previously served as Prime Minister in Japanese politics history (but here, considered an erstwhile PM in the passage context).
Shintaro Abe is mentioned but was not a former Prime Minister.
Option (a) and (b) — too few; these counts ignore some of the named leaders.
Option (d) — too many; only four are explicitly or contextually identified as erstwhile Prime Ministers in the passage.
Thus, (c) is correct.
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Top Questions on Reading Comprehension
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