1. Japan After WWII Dabin Lee

2. Japanese Surrender  Harry Truman issued a statement called Potsdam Declaration.  “surrender or face prompt and utter destruction”  Japan did not listen.  US reacted with two consecutive nuclear bombings.  Hiroshima and Nagasaki

3.  Japan was greatly damaged.  great number of deaths (of soldiers and normal population)  destroyed cities  weakened government  Japanese Emperor Hirohito decided to surrender on August 15, 1945.  Through radio broadcast, he persuaded his people.

4. US Occupation  With the lead of MacArthur, US occupation took place.  three hundred fifty thousand US personnel  Lasted from 1945 to 1952

5. Changes in Japan  Demilitarization  Japanese aggression involving military forces was prohibited.  democratization  Allowing citizens elected their own leaders  decline of Emperor’s power  constitutional monarch  Japanese Media being censored  ‘Meiji constitution’ became ‘Constitution of Japan’.

6. Two House Parliament  The Parliament was named the Diet.  its members were chosen by all citizens.  A prime minister elected by members of the Diet commanded the main government.  MacArthur’s goal of spreading democracy on the land of Japan was successfully accomplished.

7. US Occupation Ended  On September 8th, 1951, the Allied occupation ended with San Francisco Peace Treaty signed by the US, Japan, and other forty-eight countries.  Japan agreed in banning its own military movement (could only be used as a method of reaction).  Japan was able to recover itself immediately, because they had to pay no more money for the occupation.

8.  Relationship between Japan and United States remained peaceful as allies.  On April 28, 1952, Japan became an independent state.  Freedom of press and democracy were some of the legacies of US occupation.