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

2. 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

3. --Gen. Douglas MacArthur September 2, 1945
Occupation of Japan
: 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

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

5. 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

6. 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

7. 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

8. 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

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

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

11. 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