9.4 Allied occupation and reforms

The Allied Occupation of Japan after World War II aimed to transform the nation. It focused on demilitarization, democratization, and economic reforms. These changes reshaped Japan's political, social, and economic landscape.

Key reforms included drafting a new constitution, dismantling zaibatsu conglomerates, and implementing land reform. These actions promoted democracy, human rights, and economic stability, setting the stage for Japan's post-war recovery and growth.

Allied Occupation and Reforms

Goals of Allied occupation

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• Demilitarization of Japan dismantled Imperial Japanese Army and Navy destroyed military equipment and facilities
• Democratization promoted civil liberties encouraged labor unions and political parties (Socialist Party, Liberal Party)
• Decentralization of power reduced Emperor's role to symbolic figurehead dismantled zaibatsu (Mitsubishi, Mitsui)
• Promotion of human rights released political prisoners abolished secret police organizations (Tokkō)
• Land reform redistributed agricultural land to tenant farmers increased rural prosperity
• Education reform removed militaristic and ultra-nationalistic content from curricula introduced democratic values
• Economic stabilization implemented anti-inflation measures introduced fixed exchange rate system (1 USD = 360 yen)

Democratization and constitutional reform

• Drafting of new constitution established Constitutional Amendment Committee MacArthur rejected initial Japanese draft
• SCAP officials created "MacArthur Draft" incorporated key democratic principles:
  1. Popular sovereignty
  2. Guarantee of fundamental human rights
  3. Renunciation of war (Article 9)
• Purge of wartime leaders removed militarists and ultra-nationalists from power prosecuted war criminals
• International Military Tribunal for the Far East (Tokyo Trials) classified war criminals into Class A, B, and C categories
• Implemented democratic institutions established parliamentary system introduced universal suffrage separated powers
• Promoted civil society encouraged free press and media (Asahi Shimbun, Yomiuri Shimbun) supported political parties

Economic reforms and reconstruction

• Zaibatsu dissolution broke up large industrial conglomerates promoted fair competition and market economy
• Land reform redistributed agricultural land from landlords to tenant farmers increased productivity and rural income
• Labor reform legalized labor unions introduced labor standards and workers' rights (8-hour workday, minimum wage)
• Monetary reform introduced new currency (yen) stabilized inflation
• Economic assistance implemented GARIOA program provided food, medical supplies, and industrial raw materials
• Industrial reconstruction rebuilt infrastructure and manufacturing facilities focused on light industries and exports

Social changes in post-war Japan

• Status of women granted suffrage ensured legal equality in marriage and divorce increased education and employment access
• Education reform democratized system introduced co-education extended compulsory education to nine years
• Western influences popularized American music, fashion, and entertainment (jazz, blue jeans) adopted English loanwords
• Social mobility weakened traditional class structures grew middle class
• Cultural shifts declined State Shinto and emperor worship promoted individualism changed family dynamics
• Urbanization sparked rural-to-urban migration developed modern urban lifestyles (apartment living, convenience stores)