The U.S. Army in Post-World War II Japan

It starts off with the U.S. invasion of Saipan, and the Japanese realizing they were in 'mortal danger.'

LeMay turn command of the bombing group, changed their method of operation, and this resulted in am much more effective bombing of Japan.

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The film then talks about the firebombing and the use of the atomic bombs.

MacArthur was put in charge of running occupied Japan.

MacArthur was given directives from the U.S. government about the occupation. The U.S. was going to work through the existing institutions of the Japanese government to make the occupation go as smoothly as possible. The military, though, had to be abolished, and the secret police and oppression also had to go. This all made it easier for the Japanese people to accept what was going on.

Then it talks about the war crimes trials.

Blame for the war was put on Tojo's shoulders rather than the Emperor's because MacArthur wanted the Emperor kept to make sure the occupation went okay.

There were still lots of Japanese garrisons overseas, and Tokyo had to send messages and do broadcasts to get these groups to surrender.

The troops were brought back to Japan, checked for diseases and any war criminals, and then let free. Weapons and other armaments were gathered. The Japanese would destroy the weapons under American supervision.

Basic changes in how things were run was undertaken by the Americans to make Japan democratic. The burden was placed on the government to care for the needs of the Japanese people.

A new constitution was initially opposed by the Japanese political leaders, but the U.S. told them there was going to be a new one, period, and an agreement was finally worked out. Women's rights and labor rights were aided; child labor was abolished, as were the secret police.

The existing financial cartels were broken up.

The main reason for helping Japan recover was to aid U.S. national security in the Far East.

There was also major land reform undertaken.

The U.S. pushed for its allies to make peace with Japan. Japan then signed a mutual security pact with the U.S.

The occupation ended in 1952.

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