Overview of US Military Presence in Japan Following WWII
Occupation and Reconstruction of Japan, 1945-52
Following Japan's defeat in World War II, the United States and the Allied powers led a strategic mission to occupy and rehabilitate Japan. Between 1945 and 1952, with General Douglas A. MacArthur leading at the helm, the United States implemented widespread military, political, economic, and social reforms that would have life altering effects on how Japan would function in the future.
Following Japan's defeat in World War II, the United States and the Allied powers led a strategic mission to occupy and rehabilitate Japan. Between 1945 and 1952, with General Douglas A. MacArthur leading at the helm, the United States implemented widespread military, political, economic, and social reforms that would have life altering effects on how Japan would function in the future.
Throughout the war, groundwork was laid for the potential occupation of japan by the Allied powers. Through a series of wartime conferences, leaders of the United States, Great Britain, the Soviet Union, and the Republic of china met to discuss how to disarm Japan's military, address Japan's colonies (Korea and Taiwan), how to stabilize and balance Japan's economy, as well as prevent any possibilities of remilitarization of the Japanese state in the future.
The Postdam Declaration which outlined and called for Japan's unconditional surrender was officially achieved by August 1945.
The Postdam Declaration which outlined and called for Japan's unconditional surrender was officially achieved by August 1945.
Transition of Occupation:
By September 1945, General MacArthur officially took charge of the Supreme Command of Allied Powers (SCAP) and began the difficult task of rebuilding Japan following the economic, political, and social devastation that was created from the bombings of Hiroshima and Nagasaki.
The Allied Powers of Great Britain, the Soviet Union, as well as the Republic of China still remained in advisory positions in the "Allied Council," however it was General MacArthur who had the final authority in all aspects of decision making concerning to Japan's future.
The occupation of Japan can be formally divided into three phases:
I. Punish & Reform Japan
From 1945-1947, the United States and the Allied powers were in the process of implementing the most fundamental and crucial changes to the Japanese government and its society.
By first bringing war crimes trials in Tokyo, the Allied Powers punished Japan for its past militarism and expansion. In addition, the Supreme Command of Allied Powers dismantled the Japanese army and forbid any former military officers from taking any leadership roles that would involve in a political leadership position in the new established Japanese government.
In respects to the economy,the Supreme Command of Allied Powers introduced widespread land reforms that were designed to benefit the majority tenant farms of Japan, as well as reducing the powers of rich landowners, many of whom had advocated for war and vehemently supported Japanese expansionism in the 1930s.
General MacArthur also sought to dismantle large Japanese business conglomerates (zaibatsu) that previously held monopolies and significant advantages in the economy before the war ended in an effort to transform the economy into a free market capitalist system.
With the institution of a new constitution, the emperor's status and political control was stripped away. Subsequently more power was placed into the hands of the newly establish parliament.
The Allied Powers of Great Britain, the Soviet Union, as well as the Republic of China still remained in advisory positions in the "Allied Council," however it was General MacArthur who had the final authority in all aspects of decision making concerning to Japan's future.
The occupation of Japan can be formally divided into three phases:
I. Punish & Reform Japan
From 1945-1947, the United States and the Allied powers were in the process of implementing the most fundamental and crucial changes to the Japanese government and its society.
By first bringing war crimes trials in Tokyo, the Allied Powers punished Japan for its past militarism and expansion. In addition, the Supreme Command of Allied Powers dismantled the Japanese army and forbid any former military officers from taking any leadership roles that would involve in a political leadership position in the new established Japanese government.
In respects to the economy,the Supreme Command of Allied Powers introduced widespread land reforms that were designed to benefit the majority tenant farms of Japan, as well as reducing the powers of rich landowners, many of whom had advocated for war and vehemently supported Japanese expansionism in the 1930s.
General MacArthur also sought to dismantle large Japanese business conglomerates (zaibatsu) that previously held monopolies and significant advantages in the economy before the war ended in an effort to transform the economy into a free market capitalist system.
With the institution of a new constitution, the emperor's status and political control was stripped away. Subsequently more power was placed into the hands of the newly establish parliament.
II. Revive the economy
From late 1947 to early 1948, the emergence of an economic crisis in Japan coupled with growing concerns regarding the spread of communism sparked a reassessment of occupation policies. In this stage of occupation, which lasted until 1950, the economic rehabilitation and revitalization took center stage. The Supreme Command of Allied Powers were concerned that a continued economic slowdown in Japan would in crease the influence of the domestic communist movement. In order to address economic problems, occupation policies focused on a wide range of tax reforms that were aimed at controlling inflation.
III. Conclude through formal peace treaties and alliances.
In the third and final phase of the occupation that began in 1950, the Supreme Command of Allied Powers determined that the political and economic future of Japan would be firmly established and set by securing formal peace treaties to end both the war and the occupation.The final agreement between the United States and Japan would allow the United States to maintain its bases in Okinawa and elsewhere in Japan, and the United States government promised Japan a bilateral security pact.
In September of 1951, 52 nations met in San Francisco to discuss the treaty, and ultimately 49 of them signed, with the Soviet Union, Poland, and Czechoslovakia objecting.
From late 1947 to early 1948, the emergence of an economic crisis in Japan coupled with growing concerns regarding the spread of communism sparked a reassessment of occupation policies. In this stage of occupation, which lasted until 1950, the economic rehabilitation and revitalization took center stage. The Supreme Command of Allied Powers were concerned that a continued economic slowdown in Japan would in crease the influence of the domestic communist movement. In order to address economic problems, occupation policies focused on a wide range of tax reforms that were aimed at controlling inflation.
III. Conclude through formal peace treaties and alliances.
In the third and final phase of the occupation that began in 1950, the Supreme Command of Allied Powers determined that the political and economic future of Japan would be firmly established and set by securing formal peace treaties to end both the war and the occupation.The final agreement between the United States and Japan would allow the United States to maintain its bases in Okinawa and elsewhere in Japan, and the United States government promised Japan a bilateral security pact.
In September of 1951, 52 nations met in San Francisco to discuss the treaty, and ultimately 49 of them signed, with the Soviet Union, Poland, and Czechoslovakia objecting.
Sources cited in their respective orders:
http://history.state.gov/milestones/1945-1952/JapanReconstruction
http://www.history.navy.mil/photos/images/h84000/h84346.jpg
http://www.history.navy.mil/photos/images/ac00001/ac01732.jpg
http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/f/f8/Instrument_of_surrender_Japan2.jpg
http://afe.easia.columbia.edu/ps/japan/potsdam.pdf
http://jtjonesphotos.files.wordpress.com/2012/10/macarthur1.jpg
http://iconicphotos.files.wordpress.com/2012/09/hirohito1.jpg?w=700&h=545
http://www.history.navy.mil/photos/images/h84000/h84346.jpg
http://www.history.navy.mil/photos/images/ac00001/ac01732.jpg
http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/f/f8/Instrument_of_surrender_Japan2.jpg
http://afe.easia.columbia.edu/ps/japan/potsdam.pdf
http://jtjonesphotos.files.wordpress.com/2012/10/macarthur1.jpg
http://iconicphotos.files.wordpress.com/2012/09/hirohito1.jpg?w=700&h=545