Reconstruction of the Japanese Military By Hugo, Mano, and Jacob

Background O Ideas had been set for the occupation at the Potsdam conference O Gen. Macarthur was in charge of the reformation of Japan O Wanted to limit military, give US a reason to establish presence there O Did not want to leave Japan defenseless

Constitution: Article 9 O “Aspiring sincerely to an international peace based on justice and order, the Japanese people forever renounce war as a sovereign right of the nation and the threat or use of force as means of settling international disputes. (2) To accomplish the aim of the preceding paragraph, land, sea, and air forces, as well as other war potential, will never be maintained. The right of belligerency of the state will not be recognized.”

Quote from History “Now that the Emperor has accepted the Potsdam Declaration, we must lay down our arms. Obeying the Emperor's order, we shall not fight.” By Seishiro Itagaki, a general and war minister during WWII O The quote shows how the war with Japan was officially over with the Emperor's decree. O The war ministers, loyal to the emperor, put aside their militaristic zeal to obey the Emperor. O Reflects further Japanese submission during American occupation and reconstruction.

Textbook Quote “The Korean War ( ) was an economic boon to Japan, providing a jump-start to the new growth. During the war, America bought $4billion worth of military manufactures and tens of thousands of American troops were stations in Japan. Between 1950 and 1973, Japan’s economy grew at a phenomenal average rate of 10.5 percent a year. The gross national product grew from $24 billion in 1955, to $484 billion in 1975, to $4.3 trillion in 1994.” O The quote shows that the military reforms were actually an economic opportunity for Japan. The military reforms that prevented it from directly participating in the Korean war delegated it's role to a producer for America. This provided it with the business it needed to dig itself out of the economic slump that proceeded the loss of World War II.

Cartoon Demonstration “Died of Lack of Exercise Facing Wanton Aggression”

This cartoon shows… Near-elimination of Japanese military, intense US protective actions Truman and UN aggressively charging ahead Ghost of League Of Nations: it died of inaction Turn-around of American isolationism to active stance Relates to US occupation policies in Japan US put extensive restraint on Japanese military Anti-Communism, Truman Doctrine

Summary O Almost total disarmament, only enough for domestic protection O Military reforms helped Japan become open to new democracy, led to an end of militarism O Japan became the base of operations in Asia for the US, included within the Truman Doctrine O Military reform allowed Japan to stabilize and recover economically O Extended upon Article 9, created the Japan Self- defense Force

Bibliography O Boon, Kheng Cheah. ""Red Star Over Malaya"" History. N.p.: n.p., Print. O Spodek, Howard. "Part 7: Exploding Technologies; Political Reconstruction in Japan and Germany." The World’s History. 3rd ed. Vol. Combined. N.p.: n.p., n.d Print. O Low, David. “History doesn’t repeat itself.” Cartoon. “Unknown” Web. 25 November 2013