Its important to practice the FRQ portion, here are some sample prompts!

For more detailed information about the different FRQ's of the exam, read the AP Japanese Exam Format guide (coming soon).

Write an article in which you compare and contrast Japanese cars and cars from your own community. 

Present your own view or perspective on Japanese inventions. Discuss at least FIVE aspects or examples of Japanese inventions. 

Present your own view or perspective on Japanese technology. Discuss at least FIVE aspects or examples of Japanese technology. (Sample answer below) 

*On the exam, this would be a spoken response.

初めまして私は＿＿＿＿＿＿と申します。これから日本の技術について話します。

まずは新幹線です。日本の新幹線は他の電車より速いのが特徴です。新幹線は日本中を高速で走っていますから遠い場所でも短い時間で行けます。

次はモノレールです。モノレールは新幹線と違って上からぶる下がって走ります。モノレールは新幹線より遅いです。

三つ目は日本の自動車です。日本の有名な自動車会社は豊田や日産です。日本の車は丈夫で安いので他の国でも人気があります。

一年に何台もの自動車を他の国に輸入します。日本の車のハイブリッド技術は他の国に比べて優れています。

最後は日本の炊飯器です。日本人はお米を主食としているので炊飯器は食事を作るために欠かせない道具です。最近はお米だけでなく、ケーキやホットケーキも作れる事がわかってきました。

私は日本の技術発展はすごいと思います。日本人は常に技術革新を目指して研究していることがよく伝わってきます。日本に行く事があれば新幹線に乗りたいと思います。

まとめに、日本の技術はかなり発達しています。新幹線の技術は世界トップレベルで、ハイブリッドの車は日本が一番に作り始めました。将来日本がどのような優れた技術を使って新しいものを作るのか楽しみです。ご清聴ありがとうございました。

*Remember this is only an example and answers can vary!

AP Japanese Exam

AP Japanese Exam Prep 2020 | Reviews + Free Study Help | Fiveable

AP Japanese 

Unit 1: Families in Different Societies

Unit 2: The Influence of Language and Culture on Identity

Unit 3: Influences of Beauty and Art

Unit 4: How Science and Technology Affect Our Lives

Unit 5: Factors That Impact the Quality of Life

Unit 6: Environmental, Political, and Societal Challenges

Exam Skills - FRQ/MCQ

Blogs

AP Japanese Unit 4 Essay Prompts

⚙️ This unit focuses on the effect that science and technology have on the lives of people in Japanese-speaking communities. You will be exposed to more complex vocabulary words and continue to deepen your understanding of various aspects of Japanese language and culture.  

🤔 Here are some guiding questions to help get you thinking for this unit:

 What role do values and morals play in scientific advancements?

 What are some factors that are driving forces behind discoveries in the fields of science and technology?

 What are some consequences of technological or scientific advancements? 

Japan is widely regarded as one of the most technologically advanced countries in the world. From high-speed bullet trains to heated toilets, there are countless inventions that have been created in Japan. 

in Japan, this network of high-speed railway trains has drastically altered Japanese travel since the commencement of its service in 1964. The fastest bullet trains can travel as fast as 199 miles per hour. Currently, there are nine Japan Rail Lines that connect the major cities across Japan and take passengers all over the country. 

 are the fast trains, semi-fast trains, and local trains. Fast trains only stop at major stations while local trains stop at every train station, or 

 a lot can purchase a Japan Rail Pass that will give them unlimited access to almost all of the high-speed trains. 

The Japan Rail Pass can also be used for the Tokyo Monorail, which is another innovative mode of transportation. Monorails 

in that the railway only consists of a single rail or beam. Some Japanese monorails are suspended, so they are attached to the beam from the top rather than the bottom. 

The automotive industry in Japan is one of the largest industries of the world. Major Japanese manufacturing companies include Toyota, Nissan, Honda, and Mazda. Japanese cars, or 

, are known to be reliable and relatively cheap, so they are popular in countries outside of Japan too. 

Japan exports over 4.6 million vehicles internationally, which is one of the highest number of vehicle exports in the world. Most of these Japanese vehicle exports go to countries like the US, Canada, and China. 

Japan's electric cars are also popular. Electric cars run on batteries, 

 rather than gas, so they are much more eco-friendly. As global warming and other environmental problems are becoming more apparent, the demand for electric cars is rising. This is due to more people making conscious decisions to reduce the Earth's pollution. 

Japan also produces many hybrid electric vehicles that have a traditional combustion engine as well as an electric propulsion system. The Toyota Prius is the most popular hybrid car, with its self-charging battery and great fuel economy ratings. 

There are many kinds of Japanese robots, known as 

, including humanoid robots, animal robots, and entertainment robots. Each category has certain characteristics that distinguish one from another. 

Humanoid robots resemble the human body. They generally have a head 

. Some even have legs and the ability to walk on their own. A famous Japanese humanoid robot is the ASIMO, which was created by Honda in 2000. 

ASIMO stands for Advanced Step in Innovative Mobility. It is about 4 ft 3 in tall and is currently being displayed at the Miraikan Museum in Tokyo, Japan. It was created after extensive research was completed during the creation of the Honda E series and Honda P Series of robots. 

ASIMO has a wide range of special skills. It is able to interact with humans by recognizing moving objects, sounds and faces, gestures, and its surrounding environment. The robot's eyes are made of two cameras that allow the robot to interpret these visual cues. 

When a person approaches, the ASIMO can move to face them. It can recognize a handshake, shake or nod its head, and even reply with a verbal answer.  

🐶 Another Japanese robot is the AIBO, which is a commercial robotic dog made by Sony Electronics. 

 means partner, which is exactly the purpose of this robot. Owners can pet, interact, and play almost as if it were a real dog and develop a close connection with it. 

✌️ In 2013, Japanese researchers from the Ishikawa Oku Lab at the University of Tokyo developed a robot that can win a game of rock-paper-scissors every single time. Rock-paper-scissors is known as 

This robot uses high-speed recognition and reaction. In just one millisecond, it can determine the shape that their opponent's hand is making and then choose the winning hand move. 

Japan has made many other inventions as well. Below are just a few more inventions that have greatly affected the Japanese community and the rest of the world. 

Automatically maintains correct temperature to properly cook, but not burn, the rice 

People have recently found ways to make desserts like pancakes and chocolate cake using the 

First portable CD player was released by Sony in 1984

Used to play compact disks and has features like play/pause, stop, and rewind 

Not as popular anymore because of technological advancements and shift towards digital audio files 

Busicom LE-120A was made in Japan in 1971; first calculator with LED display and replaceable batteries 

Japan did not invent the toilet, but Japanese toilets are often more advanced than those found in other advanced countries 

Features include a heated seat and a small sink that is activated every time the toilet (

Japan is known for its scientific research and has made significant contributions to many fields of science. There are many research institutions in Japan that promote scientific advancements and allow Japanese scientists to continue their work. 

Below are some of the largest and most well-known Japanese research organizations. 

Japan Science and Technology Agency (科学技術振興機構)

Japanese government agency that funds basic research and commercialization of revolutionary technology 

Aids in distribution of science and technology information 

Maintains close relationship with universities to foster collaborative research 

Has published about 6,000 research articles 

Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science, and Technology (文部科学省)

Minister, 2 State Ministers, 2 Parliamentary Vice-Ministers, and 2 Deputy Ministers

Japan Society for the Promotion of Science 

Fosters young researchers and promotes international scientific exchange 

🏫 Many Japanese universities also conduct scientific and technological research. Some of the leading Japanese universities are The University of Tokyo, Kyoto University, and Waseda University. 

🎖️ Japan has an impressive list of Nobel Prize laureates who have been honored for their excellence in their area of study. 

Here are a few recent Japanese recipients:  

Isamu Akasaki, Hiroshi Amano, Shuji Nakamura 

Awarded for invention of blue LED lights (energy-saving light source)

2018 Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine

Awarded for discovery of new cancer immunotherapy (shared with James P. Allison) 

Discovered the enzyme activation-induced cytidine deaminase of AID  

Fellow of Asahi Kasei Corporation and professor at Meijo University 

Awarded for the development of lithium-ion batteries (shared with John B. Goodenough and M. Stanley Wittingham) 

Batteries now widely used in cellphones and computers 

JAXA, or the Japanese Aerospace Exploration Agency, is Japan's national aerospace research and space agency. It was formed in 2003 after three independent organizations merged. 

Currently, its headquarters is in Chōfu, Tokyo, and the president of the agency is Hiroshi Yamakawa. It has over 1,500 regular staff members and many domestic and international researchers. 

JAXA is one of the participating agencies involved with the International Space Station. Japan often works as a partner with NASA and the countries' most recent collaborative project is the Artemis. 

Japan has successfully launched many high-profile science missions like the HALCA, in which multiple telescopes are used to study astronomical objects and the Hayabusa, which brought back an asteroid sample to Earth. 

Koichi Wakata is a well-known Japanese astronaut, or 

. He has spent more than 11 months in space and was the first Japanese commander of the International Space Station. He has also been part of 4 NASA Space Shuttle missions. 

Unit 4: How Science and Technology Affect Our Lives

AP Japanese

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Unit 1: Families in Different Societies

Unit 2: The Influence of Language and Culture on Identity

Unit 3: Influences of Beauty and Art

Unit 4: How Science and Technology Affect Our Lives

Unit 5: Factors That Impact the Quality of Life

Unit 6: Environmental, Political, and Societal Challenges

Exam Skills - FRQ/MCQ

Blogs

Unit 4: How Science and Technology Affect Our Lives

AP Japanese

all

study guides

browse by units

Unit 1: Families in Different Societies﻿

Unit 2: The Influence of Language and Culture on Identity﻿

Unit 3: Influences of Beauty and Art﻿

Unit 4: How Science and Technology Affect Our Lives﻿

Unit 5: Factors That Impact the Quality of Life﻿

Unit 6: Environmental, Political, and Societal Challenges﻿

Exam Skills - FRQ/MCQ﻿

Blogs﻿

Unit 1: Families in Different Societies

Unit 2: The Influence of Language and Culture on Identity

Unit 3: Influences of Beauty and Art

Unit 4: How Science and Technology Affect Our Lives

Unit 5: Factors That Impact the Quality of Life

Unit 6: Environmental, Political, and Societal Challenges

Exam Skills - FRQ/MCQ

Blogs