Rebuilding Japan after World War II America’s post war ally

Devastation Japan was devastated at the conclusion of World War II All major cities except Kyoto were destroyed The entire infrastructure of Japan needed rebuilding

--Gen. Douglas MacArthur September 2, 1945 Occupation of Japan 1945- 1952: Allied powers occupy Japan (mostly U.S. forces) General MacArthur: first Supreme Commander The goal was to establish a democratic government in Japan To the Pacific basin has come the vista of a new emancipated world. Today, freedom is on the offensive, democracy is on the march. --Gen. Douglas MacArthur September 2, 1945

Changes for Japan The Allied (U.S.) forces implemented the following major changes: New constitution Lost all territory Land reform Demilitarization

New Constitution New Constitution went into effect in 1947: Constitutional Monarchy Emperor lost all his political and military power Figurehead: a symbol of the state Universal suffrage Human rights achieved

The End of Colonialism Japan lost all of its territory that it had acquired after 1894 Japan no longer occupied Korea or China Dispute over the Kurile Islands Tension with Russia

Land Reform Concentration of power was dissolved Land ownership was redistributed End of the Zaibatsu: Business conglomerate that controlled Japan’s economy ever since the Meiji period

Demilitarization Demilitarization: Japan’s war machine was dismantled (no more military) War criminals were tried Self Defence Force :(1954) in place of a full standing military Allied occupation ends in 1952

Economic Growth Japan experienced vast economic growth in the post war years: Increase in living standards Stable government Korean War Rise in Industry

Industry over agriculture Japanese industry flourishes in the post war era, less emphasis on agriculture: Electronics Automobiles

Response Answer the following on a sheet of paper: (1) Why would the Allied powers want to establish a democracy in Japan? (2) How could a democratic Japan benefit the U.S. economy? (3) Why do you think Japan focused on industry instead of agriculture? (Hint: Think about geography) (4) Make a list of all the products made in Japan you can think of and explain how they have impacted your life