General Douglas MACARTHUR

When the Japanese surrendered at the end of World War II, one of the men who signed the surrender document on September 2, 1945 was a man who would soon play a key role in the shaping of post-war Japan. The country was devastated ? almost every large city, major industry and transportation network had been severely damaged and there was a major shortage of food.

The Allied occupation of Japan began in August 1945 and General Douglas MACARTHUR was the Supreme Commander. Leading the only successful occupation of Japan to date, he introduced many changes including universal voting rights, guaranteeing human rights, separating Shinto from the State, dissolving the powerful zaibatsu (company syndicates) and removing concentrations in land ownership. The General also oversaw the still controversial establishment of American bases in Japan.

One of the most influential changes MACARTHUR bought to Japan was the declaration in the Japanese constitution that Japan would never again go to war or maintain an army. This caused problems in later years as Japan was effectively prevented from supporting America militarily due to the Constitution America itself had written.

MACARTHUR treated the Japanese very kindly but he had a huge decision to make. Had Emperor Hirohito been found guilty of war crimes, MACARTHUR knew he would lose the support of the people. Through MACARTHUR's efforts, the Emperor was not charged and established good terms with the American leader. This move was a major factor in the success of the occupation.

When MACARTHUR finally departed Japan in 1950, the streets on the way to the airport were lined with flag-waving Japanese.

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