Documents with Commentaries

1-5 U.S. Initial Post-Surrender Policy for Japan

 In April of 1945 with the invasion of mainland Japan impending, the Department of State, at the request of the War Department, produced the "Initial Post-Defeat Policy Proposal" based on "The Post-War Objectives of the United States in regard to Japan," which had been prepared nearly a year earlier. This proposal was submitted to the Subcommittee for the Far East (SFE) under the State-War-Navy Coordinating Committee (SWNCC), where the War Department requested the economic policy be bolstered. As a result, a new section on economic was added to SWNCC 150, the basic policy paper regarding Japan that was submitted to SWNCC by the Department of State on June 11.

 With the announcement of the Potsdam Declaration at the end of July, SWNCC 150, which provided for a direct military administration to be established, was edited to become SWNCC 150/1 dated August 11, to include the concept of indirect control. Minor amendments were made to SWNCC 150/2 the next day August 12. Due to the faster than expected capitulation by Japan, the War Department, which had directcontrol over the occupation of Japan, temporarily took the lead in making revisions. The War Department included broad changes in SWNCC 150/3, making clear the policy of indirect control whereby the Supreme Commander would "exercise his authority through Japanese Governmental machinery and agencies, including the Emperor." It also included a clause that "in the event of any differences of opinion" amongthe Allied Powers, the authority of the United States would be "decisive." Following that, the Joint Chiefs of Staff made certain changes and on August 31 it was accepted at a meeting of the SWNCC as SWNCC 150/4. The President of the United States then approved it on September 6, and on September 22 the Department of State issued SWNCC 150/4/A, which was published in various newspapers in Japan on September 24.

 SWNCC 150/4 clearly stated that the ultimate goals of the occupation were to establish a peacefully inclined and responsible government, and to assure the government would be established by the freely expressed will of the Japanese people. In its "Explanation of the United States Initial Post-Surrender Policy," dated September 30, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs explained that the U.S. did not guarantee the continuation of the Japanese form of government, including the Imperial system. Rather, the Ministry concluded that the U.S. was hoping, based on "past events" and "national self interest," that the Japanese government and the Japanese people would "voluntarily" reform the existing system of government so as to avoid a situation of external pressure leading to change.

Actual Title of Source Summary of United States Initial Post-Defeat Policy relating to Japan (Informal and without Commitment by the Department of State)
Date [April 12, 1945]
Document Number Records of SWNCC, Records of the Subcommittee for the Far East "384.1 Surrender Term, Japan 1945.4.18-1945.8.30"<SFE-1 Roll No. 2 >
Repository (reproduction) National Diet Library
Repository U.S. National Archives & Records Administration (RG353)
Note Microfilm
Actual Title of Source Politico-Military Problems in the Far East: United States Initial Post-Defeat Policy Relating to Japan (SWNCC150)
Date 11 June 1945
Document Number SWNCC/SANACC Case Files, 1944-1949 "SWNCC 150 Post-Surrender Policy for Japan, June 1945 – July 1947" <SWN-1, Roll No. 14>
Repository (reproduction) National Diet Library
Repository U.S. National Archives & Records Administration (RG353)
Note Microfilm
Actual Title of Source United States Initial Post-Defeat Policy Relating to Japan (SWNCC150/1)
Date 11 August 1945
Document Number GHQ/SCAP Records, Top Secret Records of Various Sections. Administrative Division Box No. CI-1(20) "SWNCC 150/1: Politico-Military Problems in the Far East: United States Initial Post-Defeat Policy Relating to Japan" <Sheet No. TS00349>
Repository (reproduction) National Diet Library
Repository U.S. National Archives & Records Administration (RG331)
Note Microfiche
Actual Title of Source United States Initial Post-Defeat Policy Relating to Japan (SWNCC150/2)
Date 12 August 1945
Document Number SWNCC/SANACC Case File, 1944- 1949 "SWNCC 150 Post-Surrender Policy for Japan, June 1945 – July 1947" <SWN-1 Roll No. 14>
Repository (reproduction) National Diet Library
Repository U.S. National Archives & Records Administration (RG353)
Note Microfilm
Actual Title of Source U.S. Initial Post-Surrender Policy for Japan (SWNCC150/3)
Date 22 August 1945
Document Number GHQ/SCAP Records, Top Secret Records of Various Sections. Administrative Division Box no. CI-1(21) "SWANCC150/3: Politico-Military Problems in the Far East: United States Initial Post-Defeat Policy Relating to Japan"<Sheet No. TS00350>
Repository (reproduction) National Diet Library
Repository U.S. National Archives & Records Administration (RG331)
Note Microfiche
Actual Title of Source United States Initial Post-Surrender Policy for Japan (SWNCC150/4)
Date 6 September 1945
Document Number U.S. State Department Records Decimal File 1945-1949 (PW) "740.00119 P.W./9-645" <SDD-3, Roll No. 3>
Repository (reproduction) National Diet Library
Repository U.S. National Archives & Records Administration (RG59)
Note Microfilm
Actual Title of Source U.S. Initial Post-Surrender Policy for Japan (SWNCC150/4/A)
Date 21 September 1945
Document Number GHQ/SCAP Records; Top Secret Records of Various Sections. Administrative Division; Box No. LS-1: "Top Secret, File No. 1 - Covering the Period from 1 September 1945 thru 19 January 1946" <Sheet No. TS00320-00323>
Repository (reproduction) National Diet Library
Repository U.S. National Archives & Records Administration (RG331)
Note Microfiche
Actual Title of Source Explanation of "United States Initial Post-Surrender Policy"
Date September 30, 1945
Document Number Diplomatic Records A'1.0.0.1 "Matters Related to Acceptance of the Potsdam Declaration, Volume 3" <GAI-1, Reel No. A'-0113>
Repository (reproduction) National Diet Library
Repository Ministry of Foreign Affairs
Note Microfilm
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