JAPAN UNDER MACARTHUR
Japan was and still is a thriving country with deep cultural and traditional roots. Their day to day lives were ruled over by the Emperor of their country. Tradition was the center stone of their existence and remnants of it are still visible in this day and time. Men and women were set apart with men having the ruling authority in all matters. This was the norm before the occupation of Japan by the forces of General MacArthur. Japan surrendered control to General MacArthur on September 8th, 1945. General MacArthur was appointed Supreme Commander for the Allied Powers with overall governing power of the nation of Japan. In that moment the people of Japan lost all control of their homeland. General MacArthur introduced drastic changes in the political, cultural, religious, and economical areas of Japanese life. General MacArthur knew that governing Japan could not be accomplished without the Japanese legislature (the Diet), which is the cabinet and bureaucracy that was already established. He knew that the transition would be easier with the backing of the political party that was already in place. The people of Japan were dealt a blow when Emperor Hirohito renounced his belief that he was a divine or godlike entity. General MacArthur tasked the Diet to rewrite their constitution, but he did not like what they came up with. He had individuals from his own headquarters along with civilians write the new constitution. He thought that what the people of Japan needed was a democratic government who would take their interest into consideration. This model instituted the foundation of a cabinet and a prime minister accountable to the elected Diet. The cultural, economic, and religious aspects that were influenced were great. MacArthur had several Japanese leaders tried and hanged for crimes committed during wartime. The governing body of the Japanese religion was abolished. With the new constitution every individual was afforded the same rights. The right of free speech and the right of women voting were two of the most high profile entitlements that were seen. The head of household law was also modified with persons having more of a say in decisions being made. MacArthur made sure to modify the educational system so that children learned that democracy was right and just. In the economic sector the Americans gave the people the right to found unions. They redistributed the land to the farmers which allowed them to be more self-supporting. Some believe that the best thing that happened to Japan was the occupation by American forces. Others believe that the occupation destroyed the culture and identity of a nation. There are pros and cons to what General MacArthur accomplished in Japan. MacArthur’s achievements will go down in history as amazing because of the way he was able to reinvent the face of a nation.