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The United States largely controlled the Allied occupation and rehabilitation of the Japanese nation. The American ocupation authorities headed by General Douglas A. MacArthur, enacted widespread series of modern military, political, economic, and social reforms that swept away a still almost feudal society (1945-52). Japan had built an industrial economy on an almost feudal social base. General Douglas MacArthur took charge of the Supreme Command of Allied Powers (SCAP) and began the work of both reforming Japan rebuilding the devestated country. Great Britain, the Soviet Union, and the Republic of China had an advisory role as part of an Allied Council. MacArthur had, hoeever, the authority to make final decisions. He acted as a virtual proconsul. His decisions required no Congressional approval. Unlike the dsituastion in occupied Germany, the Soviet Union which entered the war in the final weeks did not play a role. This is surely fortunte for the Japanese people and East Asia as a whole. The Korean peple are still suffering from the Communist regime the Soviets installed in North Korea after the War. The Soviets demanded an occuption zone, but were basically ignored by MacArthur and U.S. officials. Therir behavior in Germany oreckluded ny such role in Jpoan. The developing situation in Germany undoubtedly influencd U.S. policy. MacArthur oversaw the most fundamental transforation of Japanese society the country's history, in many ways more fundamental than the Meiji Restoration and he did it in a very short period (1945-47). MacArthur's war time military record has been sharply criticized by many historians. His role in transforming Japan during the occupation is roundly praised, by both American and Japanese historians. It should not be thought it was an American diktat. The American occupoatioin authirities worked wityh the Jpoanese who made suggestions, some iof ewhich were acceored. SCAP dismantled the Japanese militry and banned former military officers from playing a role in the post-War political leadership. SCAP implemented land reform with the goal of turning tenant farmers into land owners and reducinhg the size of large esttes. This was primarily a social rather than an economic reform, althoughthe food issue was a major concern. Many of the virtully feudal landowners were nobels who had been advoacates of expansionism and war. MacArthur also attempted to dismantel the zaibatsu (large indutrial conglomerates). Here he had more mixed results. He did largely succeed in transforming the economy into a free market capitalist system. This included a afree trade union movemnt eeven thiugh was a Communist influenc in mny unions. MacArthur capped the various reforms with a new constitutiion. Here the Japanese had virtually no input (1947). The Emperor was transfomed from a demi-god to a figurehead, ceremonial monarchy. The parliamentary system was given more importance and true democracy was introduced. The suferage had v=been restricvtive before the War. This was exonded not only to univedrsal manhhod sufferge, but also giving the vote to women. One of the most starling changes, at least for the Japanese, was equal rights for women. The new constitution also renouncing the right to wage war. The military was converted into a defensive force.
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