Occupation and democratic reforms
After Japan accepted surrender in August 1945, the Allied powers occupied it until 1952. In practice the occupation was led by the USA. The office that gave orders was GHQ, headed by General Douglas MacArthur. It worked through the Japanese government, not by replacing it. Its two aims were demilitarisation (remove the army and weapons) and democratisation (give people a say). Leaders held responsible for the war were tried at the Tokyo Trials (1946 to 1948).
The main reforms:
- Land reform (1946 to 1950): the government bought land from landlords who did not farm it and sold it cheaply to the tenants. Rented farmland fell from about 46 percent to about 10 percent.
- Votes for women: in the April 1946 election, women voted for the first time and 39 were elected.
- Labour rights: workers could form unions and strike.
- Education: a new law in 1947 set up 6 years of primary and 3 years of lower secondary school for all, with equal chances for girls and boys.
- Breaking up the zaibatsu: huge family-owned business groups were split up so that no few families controlled the economy.
In January 1946 the emperor stated that he was not a living god.
The New Constitution
The old Meiji Constitution (1889) said that the emperor held sovereignty. The Constitution of Japan was promulgated on 3 November 1946 and came into force on 3 May 1947. Its draft began with GHQ ideas, but it was debated and changed by the Japanese Diet. It has three main pillars:
- Sovereignty of the people: the final power rests with the people. The emperor is only a symbol (see the lesson on the Emperor).
- Respect for fundamental human rights: freedom of speech, equality of men and women, and the right to live.
- Pacifism: in Article 9 Japan gives up war as a way to settle disputes and does not keep forces for war.
The Diet became the highest organ of the state and the Prime Minister leads a Cabinet answerable to the Diet. Courts became independent.
Cold War and the peace treaty
After 1945 the USA and the USSR became rivals and the world split into a Western and an Eastern bloc (the Cold War). In 1949 a communist government came to power in China, and in 1950 the Korean War began. The USA now wanted Japan as a stable partner rather than a weak country.
- The occupation slowed its reforms against business and brought back some leaders who had been banned.
- In 1950 a National Police Reserve was formed. In 1954 it became the Self-Defense Forces.
- In September 1951 Japan signed the San Francisco Peace Treaty with many countries (the USSR and some others did not sign). The same day it signed the Security Treaty with the USA, which lets US bases stay in Japan.
- The treaty took effect on 28 April 1952 and Japan became independent again.
- In 1956 Japan and the USSR ended the state of war and Japan joined the United Nations.
Try it: year by year
In the last 3D step, put the slider on 1946. Which lamp is off? Move to 1947: the constitution lamp lights. Move to 1952: the second lamp lights and GHQ control goes down to zero. Say in one sentence what changed between 1950 and 1952. At home, ask your teacher how many years passed between the end of the war and the end of the occupation (answer: 7).
Key formulas and definitions
- Key dates: 1945 occupation begins · 1946 women vote · 3 Nov 1946 constitution promulgated · 3 May 1947 in force · 1950 Korean War · Sept 1951 peace treaty · 28 Apr 1952 independence
- Two aims of the occupation: demilitarisation and democratisation
- Three pillars of the 1947 Constitution: sovereignty of the people, fundamental human rights, pacifism (Article 9)
- Land reform: tenant farmland about 46 percent to about 10 percent
Worked examples
1. For how many years did the Allied occupation of Japan last (1945 to 1952)?
1952 - 1945 = 7 years.
2. Out of 200 farm plots, 92 were rented before land reform (46 percent). After the reform 10 percent were rented. How many plots were rented after?
10 percent of 200 = 20 plots. So 92 - 20 = 72 plots became owner-farmed.
3. Name the three pillars of the Constitution of Japan and give one example of each.
Sovereignty of the people: the people elect the Diet. Fundamental human rights: freedom of speech and equality of men and women. Pacifism: Article 9 gives up war as a means to settle disputes.
Common mistakes
- Thinking GHQ ruled Japan directly. It worked through the Japanese government.
- Mixing the dates: the constitution was promulgated on 3 Nov 1946 but came into force on 3 May 1947.
- Saying Japan got independence in 1951. The treaty was signed in 1951 but took effect on 28 April 1952.
- Thinking the Constitution was unchanged GHQ text. The Japanese Diet debated it and changed it before it passed.