Civil Historical Section, GHQ/SCAP, "History of the Non-Military Activities of the Occupation of Japan, 1945 through December 1951", [Vol. 7] Constitutional Revision

In 1951, the Statistical Resource Section (which changed its name to the Civil Historical Section in 1950), produced the "History of the Non-Military Activities of the Occupation of Japan, 1945-1951" based on the "GHQ Monthly Report". It is a compilation of GHQ activities up until 1951 totaling 55 volumes, and it presents us with an official history of activities at GHQ. The person in charge of writing Volume 7, Constitutional Revision, was H. E. Wildes, who was involved in drafting the civil rights section for the GHQ Draft. This volume detailed the Constitution of the Empire of Japan in its first half (Chapters 1 and 2) and the Constitution of Japan in its second half (Chapters 3 to 6). It can be noted that they are among those documents considered indispensable in that they provide a view inside GHQ during the process of establishing the Constitution of Japan, although there are some factual misconceptions.

These materials have been reprinted by Nihon Tosho Center, 1990 along with a translation "GHQ Nihon Senryo Shi" published in 1996 also by Nihon Tosho Center.

Actual Title of Source	History of the Non-Military Activities of the Occupation of Japan, 1945 through December 1951, [Vol. 7] Constitutional Revision
Date
Material Number	History of the Non-Military Activities of the Occupation of Japan, 1945-1951 <HNA-1 Roll No. 2>
Repository (reproduction)	National Diet Library
Repository	U.S. National Archives & Records Administration (RG331)
Note	Microfilm

Image:History of the Non-Military Activities of the Occupation of Japan, 1945 through December 1951, [Vol. 7] Constitutional Revision

Contents

Chapter I : Struggles For A Written Constitution: Early Meiji Constitutional Practice, 1; Preparations For Meiji Constitution of 1889, 6.
Chapter II : The Meiji Constitution: Proclamation of the Meiji Constitution, 12; Rights and Duties of Subjects, 14; The Diet, 15; Ministers of State and Privy Council, 16; The Judiciary, 16; Finance, 17; Amendments, 17; Ancestor Worship as Constitutional Basis, 18; Constitutional Power of the Emperor, 19; Conservative Theory, 20; Minobe Theory, 21; Constitutional Interpretation, 23.
Chapter III : Basic Postsurrender Policy and Preparing A Constitutional Revision Draft: Basic Policy, 26; Need for Revision, 30; Formation of Revision Committees, 31; Conservative Reluctance to Initiate Revision, 32; Committee Reports, 33; SCAP Suggestions, 38; New Government Drafts, 41.
Chapter IV : Creation of the New Constitution: Cabinet Draft, 43; Consideration by Privy Council, 44; Submission to the Diet, 44; Adoption of the New Constitution, 53; Official Interpretation, 56; Imperial Rescript, 57; Legal Continuity, 57.
Chapter V : Constitutional Provisions: General Structure of Government, 59; The Emperor, 60; Renunciation of War, 62; Rights and Duties of the People, 63; The Diet, 66; The Cabinet, 68; The Judiciary, 69; Finance, 72; Local Self-Government, 73; Amending Procedure, 73; Supplementary Provisions, 73.
Chapter VI : Enforcement of the Constitution: Revised Legislation, 74; Popularization, 74; Constitution Becomes Effective, 75; Provision for Review, 76; Questions in Operation, 78.

Appendixes

Since the order of pages on the original microfilms is not correct, it has been arranged in the right sequence at this exhibition.

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