by Jen Ruhl
1. Where on the line of succession is Princess Aiko, the only daughter of the Crown Prince and Princess?
a. Nowhere b. 2nd c. 4th d. 7th
2. Which of these steps is NOT a part of the amendment process of the Japanese Constitution?
a. Approval by 2/3 of the House of Representatives (Lower House)
b. Approval by 2/3 of the House of Councilors (Upper House)
c. Majority vote by Japanese citizens in a national referendum
d. Approval of the Emperor
3. Which of these is NOT a requirement to become Prime Minister of Japan?
a. Must be a Diet member
b. Must be elected by the Diet
c. Must be male
d. Must be a civilian
*Bonus: Which 5 of these countries are participants of the JET Programme as of 2003 (sorry, others on the list may have recently joined!)
Bulgaria Ukraine Philippines Kazakhstan Israel
Laos Thailand Mexico Poland Norway
Barbados Turkey
Answers:
1. a. Currently, Princess Aiko is not eligible to succeed the Chrysanthemum Throne. Recently, the debate was revisited by the Lower House in order to change the Imperial Household Law. No male has been born to the Imperial Family since the 1960s, and a woman has not ruled as Empress since 1770. To see the current Imperial Family tree, click here.
2. d. The Emperor has no authority over amendments to the Constitution.
3. c. There is no gender requirement for Prime Minister.
Bonus: Barbados, Israel, Mexico, Thailand, and the Ukraine each have citizens participating in the JET Programme. The other countries have participated in past years.