Early civilizations would have to live near water and fertile soil because they didn't have ways of transporting water like we do today they developed canal systems but still had to be relitively close to rivers or lakes
From my previously gained knowledge from my Japanese classes, the answer would be D. Because Japan didn't really that much of a population boom until the 20th century because they whole island was not yet inhabited. They didn't really feel like spreading Buddhism because it didn't become a popular religion until the 20th century, and the US had nothing to do with Japans wanting of more land. They gained land mainly from China, so the long-standing rivalry between China and Japan would be the best answer.
The answer is D! Shallow Sea Environment! Hope this help! :)
D. Soviet Union
Germany, Italy and Japan were the axis power