After its defeat, Japan underwent large-scale democratizing reforms under Allied occupation. Its constitution, education system, economy, and rural society were fundamentally transformed.
Basic Knowledge
On September 2, 1945, Japan signed the surrender document aboard the battleship Missouri. General Headquarters of the Supreme Commander for the Allied Powers (GHQ), led by Supreme Commander MacArthur, entered Tokyo, and indirect rule (rule through the Japanese government) began. GHQ issued the Five Major Reform Directives (women's suffrage, labor unions, liberalization of education, abolition of autocratic institutions, and economic democratization). In the general election of April 1946, women were granted suffrage for the first time, and 39 female legislators were elected. The Constitution of Japan was promulgated on November 3, 1946, and came into force on May 3, 1947. Its three fundamental principles are popular sovereignty, respect for fundamental human rights, and pacifism (renunciation of war, Article 9).
1945 Women's suffrage, Labor Union Act, directive for the dissolution of zaibatsu
1946 First Agrarian Reform → Second Agrarian Reform, promulgation of the Constitution of Japan
1946-48 International Military Tribunal for the Far East (Tokyo Trial)
1947 Constitution of Japan comes into force, Fundamental Law of Education, School Education Law (6-3-3-4 system)
1947 Labor Standards Act, Antimonopoly Act
Further Study (Background and Effects)
In the agrarian reforms, the government forcibly purchased tenant farmland from landlords and sold it cheaply to tenant farmers, creating large numbers of owner-farmers. The landlord system was dismantled. In the dissolution of the zaibatsu, holding companies such as Mitsui, Mitsubishi, Sumitomo, and Yasuda were dissolved. The three labor laws (Labor Union Act 1945, Labor Relations Adjustment Act 1946, and Labor Standards Act 1947) were enacted to guarantee workers' rights. The Fundamental Law of Education (1947) established the 6-3-3-4 system and coeducation, while the Imperial Rescript on Education lost legal effect in 1948. In the International Military Tribunal for the Far East (Tokyo Trial, 1946-48), seven Class A war criminals, including Hideki Tojo, were hanged. Emperor Showa was not indicted.
- GHQ Supreme Commander = MacArthur, indirect rule
- Constitution of Japan = promulgated 1946.11.3 / enforced 1947.5.3
- Three fundamental principles = popular sovereignty, fundamental human rights, pacifism (Article 9)
- Agrarian reform = dismantling the landlord system and creating owner-farmers
- Dissolution of the zaibatsu, three labor laws, Fundamental Law of Education (6-3-3-4 system)
- Tokyo Trial = seven Class A war criminals, including Hideki Tojo, were hanged
- Women's suffrage = December 1945 (revision of the House of Representatives Election Law); first exercised in April 1946
Points to Note (Easily Confused)
① Compare the Constitution of the Empire of Japan (1889, granted by the emperor, emperor sovereignty) with the Constitution of Japan (1946, enacted by the people, popular sovereignty). ② Remember the six-month difference between promulgation (1946.11.3) and enforcement (1947.5.3). November 3 is now Culture Day. ③ Agrarian reform was carried out twice, and the second reform had the greater effect. ④ Distinguish Class A war criminals (crimes against peace), Class B war criminals (conventional war crimes), and Class C war criminals (crimes against humanity).
Practice
- State the promulgation date and enforcement date of the Constitution of Japan.
- List all three fundamental principles of the Constitution of Japan.
- What was the name of GHQ's Supreme Commander?