Final answer:
The claim that Japan experienced political and economic transformation after events in the late 19th century and the 1940s is true, epitomized by the Meiji Restoration and the post-World War II era of reconstruction leading to the 'Japanese economic miracle.'
Step-by-step explanation:
The statement that Japan went through political reform and economic expansion after two critical events, one in the late 19th century and the other in the 1940s, is true. In the late 19th century, Japan underwent a significant political shift with the Meiji Restoration in 1868. This initiated rapid industrialization, technological advancement, and the modernization of the military, shaping Japan's future as a major world power. Agriculture shifted to industry, and political power moved towards a more centralized government.
After the defeat in World War II, during the 1940s, Japan once again went through profound changes. Under the occupation led by the Allied forces, Japan drafted a new, more democratic constitution. In the subsequent decades, known as the 'Japanese economic miracle,' the country achieved remarkable economic growth and became a leading global economic power. This period saw significant investment in industry and technology, and as a result, industrial production and the economy grew at an exceptional rate.