AP Japanese Language and Culture Practice Test (2026)

東京の郊外に住む田中さんの家は、お父さん、お母さん、そして高校生の娘と小学生の息子の四人家族です。おじいさんとおばあさんは、田中さんの家から電車で二時間くらい離れた京都に住んでいます。田中さんは、「うちは両親と子供だけの典型的な家族です」と友達に話しました。(The Tanaka family in the Tokyo suburbs consists of four people: a father, a mother, a high-school-age daughter, and an elementary-school-age son. The grandparents live about two hours away by train in Kyoto. Tanaka-san tells a friend, "My household is a typical family of just parents and children.")

田中さんの家族の構造を最もよく表す日本語の用語はどれですか。(Which Japanese term best describes the structure of the Tanaka family?)

八十歳の祖母が孫娘に昔の話をしています。「私が結婚した頃、日本の社会では、女性が結婚したら仕事を辞めて家にいるのが普通でした。毎日、家の掃除や料理をして、子育てをして、夫の仕事を支えるのが、妻の大切な役目だと思われていました。良い妻、良い母親になることが、一番大切なことだったのです。」(An eighty-year-old grandmother tells her granddaughter about the past: "Around the time I got married, in Japanese society, it was normal for a woman to quit her job and stay home once she married. Cleaning the house, cooking every day, raising the children, and supporting her husband's work were considered the wife's most important duties. Becoming a good wife and good mother was the most important thing.")

祖母の話によると、当時の日本社会が女性に期待していた主な役割は次のうちどれですか。(According to the grandmother's account, which of the following best describes the primary role that Japanese society at that time expected of women?)

A bar graph titled 'Percentage of Japanese Population Aged 65 and Over (1980-2020)'. The graph shows a steady increase: 1980 (9%), 1990 (12%), 2000 (17%), 2010 (23%), 2020 (28%).

Based on the provided graph, what is a significant social challenge Japan is likely facing due to the trend shown?

Which Japanese term refers to a 'full-time housewife' who primarily dedicates herself to household management and child-rearing?

In modern Japan, which type of marriage, though still practiced, has seen a significant decline in popularity compared to 'love marriages' (恋愛結婚 ren'ai kekkon)?

A short passage in Japanese: 「日本の多くの父親は、長時間労働のため、家族と過ごす時間が限られています。特に平日は、子供が寝た後に帰宅することも珍しくありません。これにより、子育てへの参加が難しく、家族間のコミュニケーションが不足しがちです。」(Many fathers in Japan have limited time with their families due to long working hours. Especially on weekdays, it's not uncommon to return home after children have gone to bed. This makes it difficult to participate in child-rearing and often leads to a lack of communication within the family.)

Based on the passage, what is a common challenge for many Japanese parents, particularly fathers?

Which of the following is NOT a direct consequence of Japan's declining birth rate on family structures and societal norms?

What is the Japanese term for 'grandparents'?

An image description: A modern Japanese house with two distinct entrances and living areas, one designed for a younger family and the other, smaller but accessible, for elderly parents. The two sections are connected by an internal door but also have separate external access.

The architectural design shown in the image most likely reflects an effort to address which societal trend in Japan?

In many traditional Japanese families, which value is often highly emphasized, particularly in the relationship between children and parents?

Compared to several decades ago, what is the general trend regarding divorce rates in Japan?

The Japanese `koseki` (戸籍) system, or family registry, primarily serves which of the following functions?

An audio clip description: A woman's voice expressing frustration in Japanese: 「子供を保育園に入れたいのに、どこも満員で、なかなか仕事に戻れません。このままではキャリアを諦めなければならないかもしれません。」(I want to put my child in daycare, but everywhere is full, and I can't return to work. At this rate, I might have to give up my career.)

Based on the audio clip, what is a significant challenge faced by many working mothers in Japan?

Which of the following words means 'parents' in Japanese?

An image description: A Japanese family (parents and two young children) smiling and sitting on a blue picnic blanket under fully bloomed pink cherry blossom trees. They are sharing food from bento boxes.

What common Japanese family activity is depicted in the image?

In contemporary Japan, what trend is observed regarding the number of single-parent households?

How has the rise of the 'freeter' (フリーター) and 'NEET' (ニート) phenomena impacted traditional Japanese family expectations, particularly for young adults?