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Does the name "Osaka" (大阪) translate to "small hill"?
Answer: False
The name "Osaka" (大阪) translates to "large hill" or "large slope," not "small hill."
During the Edo period, the kanji 大阪 was officially adopted for Osaka due to its positive connotations, replacing earlier forms.
Answer: False
While the kanji 阪 (saka) was preferred for its positive connotations over 坂 (saka, meaning slope), the official adoption of 大阪 occurred after the Edo period, following the Meiji Restoration.
The Uemachi Plateau was significant for early settlements because it remained largely submerged during the Jōmon period.
Answer: False
The Uemachi Plateau was significant for early settlements due to its favorable geological conditions, abundant fresh water, and defensible position, not because it was submerged. Much of the surrounding area was submerged during the Jōmon period.
Naniwa-tsu, during the Kofun period, functioned as a minor port with limited trade connections.
Answer: False
Naniwa-tsu, during the Kofun period, developed into Japan's most important port, facilitating significant trade both domestically and internationally.
Osaka first served as the imperial capital in 794 CE, under the name Heian-kyō.
Answer: False
Osaka served as the imperial capital in 645 CE, known then as Naniwa. Heian-kyō, established in 794 CE, is associated with modern-day Kyoto.
What is the literal translation of the name "Osaka" (大阪)?
Answer: Large Hill or Large Slope
The name "Osaka" (大阪) translates literally to "large hill" or "large slope."
During which historical period did Osaka emerge as Japan's principal port, known as Naniwa-tsu?
Answer: Kofun period
Osaka developed into Japan's most important port, Naniwa-tsu, during the Kofun period, facilitating significant trade.
In what year did Osaka first function as the imperial capital, and what was the city's designation at that time?
Answer: 645 CE, as Naniwa
Osaka first served as the imperial capital in 645 CE when Emperor Kōtoku established his palace there, and the city was known as Naniwa.
What is the historical phrase "808 bridges of Naniwa" intended to signify?
Answer: An expression denoting impressiveness and an uncountable quantity.
The phrase "808 bridges of Naniwa" was an ancient expression used to convey a sense of impressiveness and vastness, referring metaphorically to the numerous canals and bridges.
Ishiyama Hongan-ji, a fortified Buddhist headquarters, was established in Osaka in 1496 and subsequently besieged by Oda Nobunaga.
Answer: True
The Ishiyama Hongan-ji, a significant Jōdo Shinshū Buddhist headquarters, was indeed built in Osaka in 1496 and became the site of a prolonged siege by Oda Nobunaga.
Osaka Castle was constructed by Toyotomi Hideyoshi in 1583 upon the foundations of the former Naniwa Imperial Palace.
Answer: False
Osaka Castle was built by Toyotomi Hideyoshi in 1583, but it was constructed on the site of the former Ishiyama Hongan-ji, not the Naniwa Imperial Palace.
The Dōjima Rice Exchange, established in 1697, pioneered the world's first futures market for rice.
Answer: True
The Dōjima Rice Exchange, established in 1697, is recognized for establishing the world's first futures market, revolutionizing rice trading practices.
Ōshio Heihachirō led a successful peasant insurrection in Osaka in 1837 that resulted in significant improvements for the impoverished population.
Answer: False
Ōshio Heihachirō did lead a peasant insurrection in Osaka in 1837, but it was ultimately suppressed and did not result in significant improvements for the impoverished; it led to widespread destruction.
The Ishiyama Hongan-ji, a historically significant fortification in Osaka, served as the central headquarters for which religious group?
Answer: Jōdo Shinshū Buddhists
The Ishiyama Hongan-ji was the heavily fortified headquarters established by Jōdo Shinshū Buddhists in Osaka.
Who was the principal architect responsible for the construction of Osaka Castle in 1583?
Answer: Toyotomi Hideyoshi
Osaka Castle was constructed in 1583 under the direction of Toyotomi Hideyoshi.
What groundbreaking financial innovation is attributed to the Dōjima Rice Exchange, established in 1697?
Answer: The world's first futures market.
The Dōjima Rice Exchange is credited with pioneering the world's first futures market, revolutionizing commodity trading.
What significant socio-political event did Ōshio Heihachirō instigate in Osaka in 1837?
Answer: A peasant insurrection protesting poverty.
In 1837, Ōshio Heihachirō led a notable peasant insurrection in Osaka, driven by grievances related to poverty and official inaction.
Following the Meiji Restoration, Osaka's prominence as Japan's economic capital diminished, being surpassed by Tokyo.
Answer: True
After the Meiji Restoration, while Osaka continued to industrialize, its role as the primary economic and financial capital gradually shifted towards Tokyo.
By 1925, Osaka had attained the status of the sixth-largest city globally by population.
Answer: True
Indeed, by 1925, Osaka had grown significantly, ranking as the sixth-largest city in the world by population.
The air raids on Osaka during World War II resulted in negligible damage due to the city's robust industrial infrastructure.
Answer: False
The air raids on Osaka during World War II caused extensive and severe damage, with one raid in March 1945 destroying approximately 25 square miles of the city.
Osaka hosted Expo '70, which was the first World's Fair held on the continent of Europe.
Answer: False
Osaka hosted Expo '70, which was notable for being the first World's Fair held in Asia, not Europe.
Osaka's population experienced a significant decrease between 1870 and 1940.
Answer: False
Osaka's population saw substantial growth between 1870 and 1940, increasing from approximately 271,992 to over 3.3 million residents.
The Great Kanto earthquake in 1923 prompted a population decrease in Osaka due to outward migration.
Answer: False
Conversely, the Great Kanto earthquake of 1923 led to a significant population influx into Osaka between 1920 and 1930, as people migrated from the affected Kanto region.
How did Osaka's role evolve subsequent to the Meiji Restoration in comparison to its preceding status?
Answer: It transitioned from economic prominence to a primary industrial center.
Post-Meiji Restoration, Osaka's traditional economic dominance saw a shift as it developed into a major industrial center, while Tokyo increasingly centralized political and economic power.
Which statement accurately reflects Osaka's population status in 1925, according to the provided data?
Answer: It was the largest city in Japan and ranked 6th globally.
By 1925, Osaka had achieved the distinction of being Japan's largest city and ranked sixth globally in population.
What was a significant outcome of the US air raids on Osaka in 1945?
Answer: A single raid in March 1945 destroyed approximately 25 square miles of the city.
The US air raids during World War II inflicted substantial damage on Osaka; a notable raid in March 1945 devastated roughly 25 square miles of the urban area.
What significant international exposition did Osaka host in 1970?
Answer: Expo '70 (a World's Fair)
In 1970, Osaka hosted Expo '70, marking the first time a World's Fair was held in Asia.
What major historical event contributed to a significant migration into Osaka between 1920 and 1930, temporarily elevating it to Japan's largest city?
Answer: The Great Kanto earthquake
The Great Kanto earthquake in 1923 caused a substantial population shift towards Osaka, making it Japan's largest city by population around 1930.
Osaka hosted Expo '70, marking the first instance of a World's Fair being held on which continent?
Answer: Asia
Expo '70, hosted in Osaka, was historically significant as the first World's Fair to take place in Asia.
Osaka experiences a tropical monsoon climate, classified as Köppen Am.
Answer: False
Osaka is situated within a humid subtropical climate zone, classified as Köppen Cfa, characterized by mild winters and hot, humid summers, rather than a tropical monsoon climate (Am).
The Umeda district is characterized by traditional temples and shrines, while Minami serves as the primary business hub.
Answer: False
The Umeda district (Kita) is the primary business and retail hub with skyscrapers, whereas Minami is known for its shopping, entertainment, and vibrant street life, including areas like Namba and Dōtonbori.
Osaka-ben, the dialect spoken in Osaka, utilizes the copula "da" and the negative suffix "-nai," aligning closely with standard Japanese.
Answer: False
Osaka-ben, a dialect within the Kansai-ben group, is characterized by distinct features such as the copula "ya" and the negative suffix "-hen," differentiating it from standard Japanese.
The saying "Osaka wa kuidaore" translates to "Osaka is a city of great historical importance."
Answer: False
The saying "Osaka wa kuidaore" (大阪は食い倒れ) translates to "Osaka eats until it collapses," reflecting its renowned culinary culture.
The Tenjin Matsuri is celebrated annually on December 15th and 16th.
Answer: False
The Tenjin Matsuri, one of Osaka's major festivals, is celebrated annually on July 24th and 25th.
Which Köppen climate classification designation applies to Osaka?
Answer: Humid subtropical (Cfa)
Osaka is classified under the Köppen climate system as having a humid subtropical climate (Cfa).
Within Osaka's central division, which area is primarily recognized as a major business and retail hub characterized by skyscrapers?
Answer: Kita
The Kita district, often referred to as Umeda, is Osaka's principal business and retail center, distinguished by its numerous skyscrapers.
The cultural expression "Osaka wa kuidaore" highlights which prominent aspect of the city's identity?
Answer: Its strong culinary culture and dedication to food
The phrase "Osaka wa kuidaore" signifies Osaka's profound culinary culture, emphasizing the city's inhabitants' passion for food and dining.
Which linguistic feature is characteristic of the Osaka-ben dialect, as mentioned in the source material?
Answer: Use of the negative verb suffix "-hen" instead of "-nai".
A distinctive feature of Osaka-ben is its use of the negative verb suffix "-hen," contrasting with the standard Japanese "-nai."
The Sumiyoshi-taisha shrine is renowned for its distinctive architectural style known as:
Answer: Sumiyoshi-zukuri
The Sumiyoshi-taisha shrine is architecturally significant for its unique style, termed Sumiyoshi-zukuri.
Which performing art form is prominently featured at Osaka's National Bunraku Theatre?
Answer: Traditional puppet plays (Bunraku)
The National Bunraku Theatre is dedicated to the traditional Japanese puppet theater form known as Bunraku.
Considering its demographic standing, is Osaka recognized as Japan's most populous city?
Answer: False
While Osaka is a major metropolis, it is the third-most populous city in Japan, not the most populous. Tokyo's special wards and Yokohama are more populous.
Osaka is administratively divided into 24 wards, with Kita-ku designated as the administrative center.
Answer: True
Osaka is indeed divided into 24 wards. While Kita-ku is a significant ward and houses Osaka Station City, the statement that it serves as the sole administrative center requires clarification; the city government operates across various administrative functions.
The Osaka Metropolis plan, which proposed reorganizing the city into four special wards, was approved in a 2020 referendum.
Answer: False
The Osaka Metropolis plan was narrowly rejected in the November 2020 referendum, failing to gain approval for the proposed reorganization into four special wards.
In 2012, Osaka, Kyoto, and Kobe collectively urged Kansai Electric Power Company to increase its reliance on nuclear power.
Answer: False
In 2012, Osaka, Kyoto, and Kobe jointly requested Kansai Electric Power Company to reduce its dependence on nuclear power, not increase it.
"Amakudari" refers to a practice within Osaka where companies offer substantial salaries to attract international talent.
Answer: False
"Amakudari" refers to the practice of former government officials taking positions in companies they previously regulated, not a strategy for attracting foreign talent.
In fiscal year 2004, manufacturing constituted the largest industrial contributor to Osaka's gross city product.
Answer: False
In fiscal year 2004, commerce was the largest contributor to Osaka's gross city product, followed by services and then manufacturing.
The Osaka Metro system ranks among the top 5 globally for annual passenger ridership.
Answer: False
The Osaka Metro system ranks eighth globally in terms of annual passenger ridership, not within the top 5.
Osaka possesses fewer international ferry connections than Tokyo due to its inland geographical position.
Answer: False
Due to its coastal location and port facilities, Osaka actually has more international ferry connections than Tokyo.
Osaka's bid for the 2008 Summer Olympics was successful, leading to it being awarded the games.
Answer: False
Osaka's bid for the 2008 Summer Olympics was unsuccessful; it was eliminated in the first round of voting.
What is Osaka's official designation and its geographical location within Japan?
Answer: City by government ordinance in the Kansai region on Honshu.
Osaka is officially designated as a city by government ordinance and is situated in the Kansai region on the island of Honshu.
According to the source, how does Osaka rank in population among Japanese cities?
Answer: The third-most populous city in Japan.
Osaka ranks as the third-most populous city in Japan, following Tokyo's special wards and Yokohama.
Which of the following cities is NOT listed among Osaka's sister cities?
Answer: Seoul (South Korea)
While Chicago, Milan, and Shanghai are listed as sister cities of Osaka, Seoul (South Korea) is not mentioned in the provided data.
The proposed Osaka Metropolis plan aimed to restructure Osaka City into how many distinct special wards?
Answer: Four, similar to Tokyo's administrative model.
The Osaka Metropolis plan envisioned reorganizing Osaka City into four special wards, emulating the administrative structure of Tokyo.
In the context of Kansai Electric Power Company's employment practices, what does the term "Amakudari" signify?
Answer: The practice of former government officials accepting positions within the company.
"Amakudari" refers to the practice where retired government officials take up employment in industries they previously oversaw, often raising concerns about potential conflicts of interest.
Which economic sector was the primary contributor to Osaka's gross city product in fiscal year 2004?
Answer: Commerce
In fiscal year 2004, commerce represented the largest sector contributing to Osaka's gross city product, followed by services and manufacturing.
Which of the following is NOT identified as a major railway station within Osaka city?
Answer: Shinjuku
While Umeda, Namba, and Tennōji are major stations within Osaka, Shinjuku is a prominent station located in Tokyo.
What is the global ranking of the Osaka Metro system based on its annual passenger ridership?
Answer: 8th
The Osaka Metro system holds the eighth position globally in terms of annual passenger ridership.
Which building, inaugurated in March 2014, held the distinction of being Japan's tallest structure at the time of its opening?
Answer: Abeno Harukas
Abeno Harukas, opened in March 2014, became the tallest building in Japan upon its completion.