48. The author most likely included the quotation from Article 8 of the Edict at the end of the second paragraph to
(A) highlight the venomous anger many Japanese leaders felt toward the importation of foreign religions.
(B) illustrate how pervasive foreign religious influence had become in Japanese society.
(C) provide an example of Japan’s effort to curb cultural and economic exchange.
(D) emphasize the determination of the Japanese government to protect itself from foreign influences it saw as damaging.