Background and Initial Planning
– American planning for post-war occupation of Japan began in February 1942
– Advisory Committee on Postwar Foreign Policy established by President Roosevelt
– Inter-Departmental Area Committee on the Far East succeeded the advisory committee
– The Allied Powers planned to divide Japan for occupation, similar to Germany
– SCAP (Supreme Commander for the Allied Powers) to have direct control over main islands of Japan
– IDAFE (Inter-Departmental Area Committee on the Far East) had frequent discussions with Roosevelt and Truman
– The final plan gave SCAP direct control over main islands of Japan
– Outlying possessions divided between Allied Powers (Soviet Union and United States)
– Soviet Union gained control over Northern Korea, South Sakhalin, and Kuril Islands
– United States gained control over Southern Korea, Okinawa Islands, and other Japanese possessions
Japanese Surrender and Initial Landings
– Surrender of Japan followed the dropping of atomic bombs and Soviet Union’s entry into the war
– Initial landings by Allied troops began after the surrender
– Soviet Union did not occupy any part of the Japanese home islands
– Soviet leader Stalin did not want to place troops under MacArthur’s command
– Soviet Union focused on establishing communist influence in Europe
Occupation Phases
– The occupation can be divided into three phases: punishment and reform, Reverse Course, and formal peace treaty establishment
– The focus shifted to suppressing dissent and reviving the Japanese economy during the Reverse Course
– The final phase involved establishing a formal peace treaty with the 48 Allies of World War II
– The occupation lasted from September 1945 to April 1952
– The U.S. military ceased direct involvement in Japan’s civil administration after the Treaty of San Francisco
Impact and Aftermath
– The occupation marked the only time Japan was occupied by a foreign power
– Emperor Hirohito remained on the imperial throne with limited powers
– Sweeping social and economic reforms were implemented under MacArthur’s guidance
– The Meiji Constitution was replaced with a new American-written constitution
– Article 9 of the new constitution forbade Japan from maintaining a military, but the Japan Self-Defense Forces were established in 1954.
Size and Scope of Occupation
– Around 430,000 American soldiers were stationed throughout Japan by the end of 1945.
– Kyushu was occupied by the 24th Infantry Division, with some responsibility for Shikoku.
– Honshu was occupied by the First Cavalry Division and Sixth Army.
– Hokkaido was occupied by the 11th Airborne Division.
– Nearly 1 million American soldiers served in the Occupation, along with civilian contractors and dependents.
– BCOF (British Commonwealth Occupation Force) composed of Australian, British, Indian, and New Zealand personnel, deployed to Japan in February 1946.
– BCOF was responsible for supervising demilitarization and disposal of Japan’s war industries.
– BCOF occupied several western prefectures and had its headquarters at Kure.
– At its peak, BCOF numbered about 40,000 personnel.
– The Far Eastern Commission and Allied Council for Japan were established to supervise the occupation.
– The Soviet government proposed the establishment of a multilateral Allied council for Japan in September 1945.
– The British, French, and Chinese governments partially supported the proposal.
– The Far Eastern Commission and Allied Council had the authority to make decisions regarding Japan’s political, economic, and social reforms.
– They aimed to ensure Japan’s transformation into a peaceful and democratic nation.
– The initial phase of the Occupation focused on punishing Japan for its war actions.
– The Occupation aimed to reform Japanese society to prevent future aggression.
– Reforms targeted government, economy, and major sectors of Japanese society.
– Similarities were observed between the Occupation’s reforms and the American New Deal programs.
– Conservative Republicans like MacArthur and Whitney supported the New Deal liberalism.
– Japan faced severe food shortages after the war.
– The Occupation worked to provide food aid to the starving Japanese population.
– Efforts were made to increase agricultural production and improve distribution systems.
– The Occupation also implemented price controls to ensure fair access to food.
– The feeding programs helped alleviate the immediate hunger crisis in Japan. Source URL:https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Occupation_of_Japan
