Japan after WWII

Japan Under American Occupation

From American dominated occupation to the Treaty of San Francisco.

The role played by the United States during the Allied force occupation in Japan from September 1945 through 1952 changed the face and fate of Japan. Japan was firstly demilitarized, and steps were taken to bring forth "a peacefully inclined and responsible government." Industry was to be adequate for peacetime needs, but war-potential industries were forbidden. A Far Eastern Commission composed of 11 Allied nations and an Allied council in Tokyo, was to supervise general policy. This commission, was however, suffered from the tension between the USSR and the Western nations and did not function effectively. Consequently, the U.S. forces virtual controlled all Japan except the four northern islands. It was a certainly complex situation for the Americans to deal with a nation such as Japan, which has a totally different statue from all possible perspectives. From historical point of view, this is the first time that a foreign government occupied Japan for the reason that Japan had never lost single war vs. an alien force.

it was a perplex issue for the U.S for three reasons:

The mission of to destroy the Axis power was over. Is it legitimate to occupy a defeated Japan?
However, it is strategic for the United States to not leave a totally demoralized and bankrupt state to a possible U.S.S.R intervention.

What kind of measurement should U.S apply to Japan if occupation takes place? How to deal with Japanese cooperative, if unenthusiastic response.

General MacArthur was appointed to be the Supreme Commander for the Allied Powers (S.C.A.P). In sum, the characteristic of his policy was to have a comprehensive reform program and he certainly saw Japan as a valuable potential piece for American interest.

The purposes of MacArthur mission as the Commander in Japan was:

To establish a responsible and democratic self-government.
To make sure that Japan will not be a new threat to the U.S and its alliied.
To develop a sense of individual liberty and respect for human rights.
To develop a legal system which will protect individual and civil rights.
Most importantly, it was not the responsibility of the Allies powers to impose upon Japan any form of Government not supported by the freely expressed will of the people.

MacArthur was more than a military man, he had a very independent and clear policymaking program vis-a-vis of Washington, because as a man of knowledge, authority and charismatic leader, he had his own frame about Japan’s post WWII ear. It was very possible that General MacArthur thought that it was a great occasion for him to demonstrate his political ability for a purpose of a future political career as well, and at same time to create a page in the history for him self.

He was hoping basically that

His proconsulate would not go unrecognized in the United States but Japan can considered itself fortunate in the choice of its occupation commander.
Japan’s future will be based on one democratic and liberal system.

In order to establish the foundation, he believed that it was predominant to reduce the heavy Japanese conservative tradition, which maintained after the end of pacific war.

Few examples of his strategy of political balance:

MacArthur encouraged or supported a left wing movement, such as Socialist-led coalition government and labor unionists.
A purge program concerning specially militaries.
An extensive economic reform included land and industrial one.

Land Reform. Since Japan had strong rural world, it was particular a significant for the post WWII Japan.

Politically, it saved the countryside from communism movement.
Socially, it created a new rural world from a tenant farmer situation to freeholder one. Thus a total elimination of Landlordism.

Industrial reform

Reduced the influence of 4 major Japanese businesses, the Zaibatsu. (Mitsui, Mitsubishi, Sumitomo and Yasuda.)

In the mind of Japanese people during this time, it was an honor to die for the Emperor. With such kind radical feeling it was obvious that the new government will not be able to carry out any liberal and democratic policy. Consequently, it was predominant to change and influence the Japanese ideology as well.

Education reforms

1. Textbooks were rewritten,

2. School was decentralized,

3. Most significantly the entire educational system was rejigged from primary school to university.

For the Allied powers, even though the education reform was a controversial issue, they were still determinate to do so because they saw the pre-war one was totally nationalistic.

Tension within S.C.A.P exist as well.

According to the author, It was between G.H.Q officials who were civilians and hold posts in New Deal agencies and anti-Communists, between the clan of General Whitney (reformist) and this of General Willoughby. According to the author, General Willoughby was so radical that he was changing gifts with the Spanish dictator General Franco.

In the Japanese side, after the failure of the moderate left socialist led coalition by Premier Katayama Tetsu in 1947, Yoshida Shigeru, a former diplomat grain the Premier-ship.

Yoshida (1878–1967) is considered as a legendary leader.

He had an intense relationship with G. MacArthur.

He was considered as a reformist who knew how to deal and cooperate with Americans and at the meantime not anxious to oppose them.
He was Prime Minister five times between 1946 and 1954.
A new constitution was promulgated, land reforms instituted, and the occupation ended.

At San Francisco in Sept. 1951, a peace treaty was signed between Japan and most of its opponents in World War II. The Treaty of San Francisco went into effect on April 28, 1952, and Japan again assumed full sovereignty. The American occupation (1945-1952) was formally over. However, Japan still has no control over the four small islands off Hokkaido and the Okinawa.

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