End of WWII and American Occupation (1945-53)

Significance of the occupation (how it changed Japanese society and politics) Changes to the emperor: Allowed to keep his position. His divinity was taken away. He became a civilian. Interpretation: The emperor was kept to keep the loyalty of the people to the government. Divinity was taken away so that the emperor no longer had “supreme” power. Together with that was an increase of the power of the legislature. Rebuilding industry: dismemberment of the zaibatsu (large industries); anti-monopoly law; Labor union: allowing collective bargaining. Constitutional revision: Prime minister: previously appointed, now he is the leader of the majority party in the lower house. Constitutional revision: House of Peers: replaced by just the Upper House, made up of commoners. Peerage was abolished. Both the upper and lower houses subject to primary elections. Changes in education: Change from multiple-track to single track system, with the American 6:3:3 system. Freedom of speech Demilitarization of the economy. Total demilitarization and disarmament. Country placed under military occupation but not enslaved. Democratization Implementing international law. Changing Japanese culture: eliminating its emphasis on militarism and unquestioning obedience to authority. Anti-monopoly laws; Free political expression and release of political prisoners. Women’s suffrage; Eliminating feudalistic familism, where women were legally inferior. Dower's interpretation of the role of the empeor in Japan in defeat: Emperor’s speech Tone: Comforting; moral exhortation: don’t give up; no remorse for the war. He also emphasized his sharing of the people’s suffering. What was his tone when announcing defeat? (Dower, 36) What was the impact of his announcement on the Japanese? What was the general reaction of the Japanese in the face of surrender?(36-44)