Author: Kyoko Inoue
Publisher: University of Chicago Press
ISBN: 9780226383910
Category : History
Languages : en
Pages : 404

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Book Description
The Japanese constitution as revised by General MacArthur in 1946, while generally regarded to be an outstanding basis for a liberal democracy, is at the same time widely considered to be—in its Japanese form—an document which is alien and incompatible with Japanese culture. Using both linguistics and historical data, Kyoto Inoue argues that despite the inclusion of alien concepts and ideas, this constitution is nonetheless fundamentally a Japanese document that can stand on its own. "This is an important book. . . . This is the most significant work on postwar Japanese constitutional history to appear in the West. It is highly instructive about the century-long process of cultural conflict in the evolution of government and society in modern Japan."—Thomas W. Burkman, Monumenta Nipponica

Author: Ray A. Moore
Publisher: Oxford University Press, USA
ISBN: 9780195171761
Category : Business & Economics
Languages : en
Pages : 436

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Book Description
In 1945 Emperor Hirohito signed Japan's unconditional surrender to the United States and its allies. Tackling a timely subject this work takes the controversial stand that the constitution of Japan was not imposed as a document of defeat.

Author: Koseki Shoichi
Publisher: Routledge
ISBN: 0429965354
Category : Political Science
Languages : en
Pages : 272

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Book Description
This 1989 Yoshino Sakuzo prize-winning book is essential reading for understanding Japans postwar constitution, political and social history, and foreign policy. In this, the most complete English account of the origins of Japans Constitution, the author presents new interpretations of the behind-the-scenes actors who shaped the Japanese Constitution: the petulant General Douglas MacArthur, Japanese defenders of the conservative order, Japanese liberal and socialist reformers, and moderate Allies sitting on the Far Eastern Commission. }This 1989 Yoshino Sakuzo prize-winning book is essential reading for understanding Japans postwar constitution, political and social history, and foreign policy. The most complete English account of the origins of Japans constitution, it analyzes the dramatic events of 19451946 that lead to the birth of Japans new constitution. Koseki Shoichi challenges t he simplicity of the current interpretation that General Douglas MacArthur in February 1946, faced with inept Japanese efforts at constitutional reform and Soviet interference through the Far Eastern Commission, secretly ordered his staff to write a constitution in seven days and then imposed it on Japan. Differentiating between the adoption procedure and the framing process, the author argues that the latter was varied, complicated, and rich, going beyond the actions of two nations and their representatives. It involved the clash of legal ideas, the conflicting efforts of individuals of different cultures and different political persuasions, and significant contributions by people with no connection to government.Drawing on Japanese, American, and Australian archives as well as recent scholarly research, Koseki presents new and stimulating interpretations of MacArthurs actions, the Ashida amendment of Article 9, Yoshidas role, and much more. Criticizing Japanese conservative defenders of the old order, he explores Japanese liberal and socialist ideas on constitutional reform and reevaluates the Far Eastern Commissions influence on MacArthurs policies and on the shaping of the basic principles of Japans antiwar constitution. }

Author: Dale M. Hellegers
Publisher: Stanford University Press
ISBN: 9780804780322
Category : History
Languages : en
Pages : 440

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Book Description
This is the definitive story of how the United States attempted to turn Japan into a democratic and peace-loving nation by drafting a new constitution for its former enemy--and then pretending that the Japanese had written it. Based on scores of interviews with participants in the process, as well as exhaustive research in Japanese and American records, the book explores in vivid detail the thinking and intentions behind the drafting of the constitution. Confusion and strife marked planning for the democratization of Japan, first in Washington, then in occupied Tokyo. Policy makers in the State, War, and Navy departments, the Joint Chiefs, and the White House contended bitterly over how to devise an "unconditional surrender" that would minimize Allied casualties while according the victor supreme authority over a soundly defeated Japan. By war's end, there were still no firm guidelines on a host of crucial issues, including how the Japanese system of government could be made acceptably democratic. The first months of occupation were chaotic, with General MacArthur organizing his staff around loyal followers and edging out experts sent from Washington. Hampered by a narrow interpretation of the terms of surrender and wishful thinking about Japanese compliance with American expectations, MacArthur set in motion a fiasco. Because of a translator's error, Prince Konoye, three-time Prime Minister of Japan, thought MacArthur had entrusted him with revising the Japanese constitution and assembled a staff of constitutional law experts and set to work. However, conservatives in the Japanese cabinet denounced his efforts and produced their own version, which MacArthur found unacceptable. MacArthur then secretly instructed his staff, with its very limited knowledge of either Japan or constitutional law, to draft a new Japanese constitution, which amazingly they did in a week's time. Expecting approval of its own draft, the Japanese cabinet was stunned when presented with a completely different American document. So unrelenting was the pressure exerted by MacArthur's officers that it was clear to members of the cabinet they had no choice but to adopt the American draft more or less intact, and publish it as their own. Because of the broad range of its meticulous research, the book will be a standard reference not only for students of Japanese history but also for legal scholars, diplomatic historians, and political scientists.

Author: Theodore McNelly
Publisher:
ISBN:
Category : Law
Languages : en
Pages : 274

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Book Description
In The Origins of Japan's Democratic Constitution, Theodore McNelly describes and analyzes the American draft of Japan's postwar constitution, Japanese influences on the document, and its adoption by the Imperial Diet. Providing a general overview of the process of the enactment of the democratic constitution in Japan, McNelly then analyzes conflicts among rival Japanese groups, the effects of the war-ban provision on Japan's security, and General MacArthur's shifting views on the achievement of world peace. The Origins of Japan's Democratic Constitution addresses the argument regarding U.S. 'imposition' of the constitution on Japan with emphasis on the origins of the 'no-war, no-arms' clause as well as the ideological, strategic, and historical background of the clause. Written by a former member of MacArthur's staff in Tokyo, this book will be of interest to the general reader as well as specialists seeking hitherto unpublished information and interpretations of this significant historical event.

Author: Supreme Commander for the Allied Powers. Government Section
Publisher:
ISBN:
Category : Japan
Languages : en
Pages : 448

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Book Description

Author: David J. Valley
Publisher: CreateSpace
ISBN: 9781460968024
Category : History
Languages : en
Pages : 222

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Book Description
Gen. MacArthur's Ploy is an historical novel about the framing of Japan's constitution. Japan lay in ruins when occupying American and Allied forces came ashore in September, 1945. Major population centers and much of Japan was devastated, people were dying in the streets from starvation and disease, families were lost or scattered. Only a few decades earlier this peaceful, near-feudal society was high-jacked by a clique of the ruling class and became a rogue fascist state aggressively conquering millions in Asia. Now it was over, the monumental task of changing the culture and rebuilding had begun. Fortunately, the Supreme Commander of Allied Powers, Gen. Douglas MacArthur possessed the humanity and skill to guide the perilous process. Russians had already accomplished a takeover of all of Eastern Europe and planned to take part of Japan. MacArthur was not about to let that happen, but had only a small window of opportunity for success that was rapidly closing. To satisfy the terms of surrender and for a sound foundation for future peace and prosperity Japan needed a democratic constitution. In other countries this evolved over many years, in Japan they had but a few months. Success came not just from policy decisions, but more from the passion and hard work of the Occidentals and Orientals intimately involved. From hatred and fear, respect and understanding emerged for most, while persons bent on scuttling the process were put down. Historians have described the details in many books, but none have captured the human drama that took place. Having personal experience in Gen. MacArthur's Command, Valley tells the story from the point of view of a GHQ insider as he brings together fictional and real persons in this entertaining and educational tale which led Japan to the "Bright Life" of a new constitution.

Author: Russell Brines
Publisher:
ISBN:
Category : Japan
Languages : en
Pages : 328

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Book Description

Author: John W Dower
Publisher: W. W. Norton & Company
ISBN: 9780393320275
Category : History
Languages : en
Pages : 692

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Book Description
This study of modern Japan traces the impact of defeat and reconstruction on every aspect of Japan's national life. It examines the economic resurgence as well as how the nation as a whole reacted to defeat and the end of a suicidal nationalism.

Author: Axel Berkofsky
Publisher: FrancoAngeli
ISBN: 8856872056
Category : History
Languages : en
Pages : 319

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Book Description
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