POS 468 Lecture Notes - Lecture 9: War Crime, Party System, Japanese Language
Document Summary
Plan was to reduce japan to agricultural country, pre-industrial basis. Ww2, primary occupying force - trying to democratize. Us occupation needed for economy & part of reconstruction of japan. Worked so well that japanese had resisted any efforts to change japanese. First post war japanese prime minister - yoshida. In tojo"s gov in ww2, but not listed as war criminal. Established direction of japanese foreign policy that lasted for several decades. Supported us imposed japanese constitution - specifically article 9. Only country in the world, in constitution, renounces right to make war. Also agreed in constitution not to raise armed forces. Us realized they created situation not for benefit, for korean war. Wanted to modify article 9, but japanese public opposed. Told liberal party it was an ideal situation bc you can focus on reconstruction, promoting exports, let us defend. Told americans: you can use japan as an unsinkable aircraft carrier, station forces here, japan becomes large aircraft carrier.
