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Asian Communism: US Occupation's Political Impact on Japan and Asia

Explore the political repercussions of American occupation on post-WWII Japan and Asia, highlighting the rise of conservatism, economic shifts, and the interplay of foreign and domestic factors. The "Reverse Course" under MacArthur, fears of Soviet Communism, McCarthyism, and the conservative revival led by Yoshida Shigeru are examined, alongside economic policies like the Dodge Line and Zaibatsu Policy Reversal. Key events such as the Korean War, labor movements, and the end of the occupation are discussed, assessing the lasting effects on Japan's political landscape and its relationship with the US. The legacy of the occupation, from democratization to economic restructuring, is analyzed in a critical light, prompting a reflection on the democratic development of Japan and the role of the US in shaping it.

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Asian Communism: US Occupation's Political Impact on Japan and Asia

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  1. Asian Communism and the “Reverse Course”

  2. American Occupation • Initial Purposes • Disarmament • Democratization • Conduct • MacArthur as SCAP • Thin US layer • Use Japanese bureaucracy • Contrast with Iraq

  3. Shift in US Thinking • Interplay of foreign/domestic issues • Foreign factors • Fear of Soviet Communism • Rise of Mao and CCP in China • North/South split in Korea • Southeast Asia as well

  4. US Shift (Cont) • Domestic Factors (partial response to foreign “threat’) • Cost factors in Occupation • Republican criticism of Truman administration • China Lobby • Ultimately, McCarthyism

  5. Upshot • US change • From idealistic democratic Japan • To a renewed and economically viable Japan • “Bulwark of democracy” in Asia • Requires rebuilding and not reforming

  6. Reverse Course • Breath of fresh air for conservatives • Shock of purge of government and business leaders, constitution, growth of left • Disappointment of left • Struggle into 1960s, effecting student movement, large segment of society • Seeds of postwar system • The Japan with which we are familiar • Shift unmistakable by 1948 • Pronounced after Mao’s victory in 1949

  7. Political Implications • Depurging of right • Many returned to civil, political life • Kishi Nobusuke most famous example • Now, “Red Purge” • Thousands fired from labor unions, businesses • Many jailed • Especially hurt labor

  8. Conservative Revival • Left-wing coalition governments lose out • Yoshida Shigeru in power 1948-1954 • Established the conservative political base, still unbroken • Cemented US-Japan relationship • Sticking point: Article IX

  9. Economic Implications • Dodge Line adopted to facilitate revival • 3/19/49 Joseph M. Dodge in Japan • Stem inflation, balance budget • Reduce money supply • Set 360 yen to dollar • Bitterly opposed • 500,000 lost jobs • Deflation • But successful in stabilizing economy

  10. Zaibatsu Policy Reversal • No longer attacked: cosmetic changes in ownership patterns • Still around today (keiretsu), neo-zaibatsu • Irony: great US business support for not breaking up zaibatsu

  11. Japanese Labor • Shift from SCAP pro-labor stance • MacArthur forbids May Day demo ‘47 • Labor loses support of SCAP and Japan • Never becomes a political force in Japan • Conservative gov’t. repression

  12. Key Role of Korean War, 1950-1953 • June 1950:National Police Force of 75,000 (later SDF) • Helped speed San Francisco Treaty Sept. 8, 1951 • “Gift from the Gods” • Economic boom

  13. Ending the Occupation • Occupation ends formally 4/28/52 • De facto earlier as SCAP role ceased due to war • Soon followed by US-Japan Security Treaty • Japan as US client • US bases in Japan • Nuclear umbrella

  14. Assessing the Occupation I • Mixed review • Better than anyone expected • Uniqueness of the experiment • Compare with Iraq? • Confidence/arrogance of US • An unintended consequence • Founding fathers of Japanolgy • Like Peace Corps and Mormon missions

  15. Assessment II • Positive side: • Constitution—no amendments to a foreign constitution • Land Reform—support for LDP • Negative: • Zaibatsu busting—Mitsubishi et al still with us

  16. Assessment II • Mixed assessment: • Education • Labor • Local government • Economic recovery still stunning • The human connection still stands out Popcorn on the Ginza and “Sayonara” • Question for the semester: How democratic is Japan? What is the US credit/blame for that?

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