Essential Questions: What factors allowed Japan to recover effectively after WW II? What economic and social changes occurred in Japan from the 1950�s onward? How did the relationship between Japan and the U.S. change in the years following WW II?
I. The Occupation of Japan
A. After WW II, American troops occupied Japan under the command of General
Douglas MacArthur
1. He demilitarized Japan
2. He removed people who had been powerful in government and business
3. He tried some top leaders who were accused of war crimes
a. Several were executed for their crimes
4. More than 5 million troops were disarmed and released from military
service
5. In the end, the Japanese were allowed to keep most of their factories
B. Under MacArthur�s direction, the Japanese set up a nonmilitary and
democratic government
1. The MacArthur Constitution created a democracy that called for a
direct election
a. All Japanese adults now had the right to vote
II. Postwar Developments
A. Economic developments
1. Several policies helped Japan recover after the war
a. Land reform helped many farmers own the land they worked
b. New farm machinery and improved seeds helped them grow and
harvest more crops
-Farm output increased very quickly
2. Social changes
a. Economic growth brought Japan a higher standard of living
-Most families were able to buy modern appliances and
new automobiles
-Also, more women joined the workforce and enjoyed more
freedom
-At the same time, the importance of family declined
b. The higher standard of living did not always mean a better life
-The Japanese worked longer than people in the West
-Cost of living was much higher
III. Foreign Relations and Political Life
A. A More Independent Stance
1. After WW II, Japan and the U.S. kept friendly ties
a. However, many Japanese resented American troops stationed in
Japan
-Toward the end of 200o, the U.S. finally began to reduced
the number of troops stationed there
2. During the 1980�s, Japan began to follow its own course in world
affairs
a. Japan was well on its way to becoming the economic and
political leader in Asia