Final answer:
The best reflection of Japan's military leaders' pre-World War II attitude is that they viewed themselves as more effective leaders than elected officials, dismissing the need for democracy and focusing on military-led expansion.
Step-by-step explanation:
The statement that best reflects the attitude of Japan’s military leaders prior to World War II is: b. Japan did not need democracy because the military leaders were more effective and efficient leaders. The military leaders in Japan perceived themselves as more capable of handling the country's affairs, especially in times of conflict and perceived threats from communism and other countries. They were highly nationalistic and believed strongly in military expansionism. Japanese military leaders were contemptuous of civilian politicians and were ideologically opposed to communism, aligning themselves with other fascist regimes in opposition to the Soviet Union and supporting the empire's expansion in East Asia.