Chapter 5: Post-War Japan Flashcards
What policy did the US introduce towards Japan?
1947 US introduced ‘reverse course’ towards Japan.
What was the policy of ‘reverse course’?
Meant the USA was not focused on the punishment of Japan with the seizure of significant levels of reparations. Instead it wanted the development of democratic practices and institutions, putting an emphasis on economic reconstruction to achieve political stability.
Why was Japan’s recovery so important to the USA?
Japan was the USA’s essential element of its power base in eastern Asia.
Who did the USA target in Japan?
Communists and their sympathisers rather than suspected war criminals in Japan.
What was the undisguised strategy the US adopted towards Japan?
Aimed at ensuring that Japan remained aligned to the USA and less vulnerable to communist influences in the Far East.
What was an outcome of the USA’s reconstruction programme for Japan?
Restoration of key right-wing conservatives in Japan’s political, administrative and economic structure.
What approach towards Japan had the USA changed?
In the past, there was a rather unstructured approach to Japan’s economic reconstruction, but now economic stabilisation was a central element of the USA’s planning for post-War Japan.
How did the USA plan to stabilise post-War Japan economically?
Price controls, increased regulation of trade, increased regulation of foreign exchange, wage controls, more efficient taxation system, balanced budget and stricter lending criteria.
Why was this policy of accelerated economic recovery in Japan implemented?
To align Japan with the USA and its capitalist economic system.
What did Japan want?
To become an active member of world institutions and particularly those linked to the West.
What did the USA demand of Japan?
That it joined the General Agreement on Tariffs and Trade (GATT). This strengthened Japan’s access to Western trade but it also prevented trade with communist China from late 1950.
When did Japan’s geopolitical significance to the USA enter a new phase?
February 1950, when communist China’s leader Mao Zedong formed an alliance with the USSR. In November, China joined North Korea in its war against non-communist South Korea. Japan suddenly became a crucial component in the USA’s quest to contain communism in the Far East- led to the globalisation of containment.
What was the San Fransisco Peace Treaty?
September 1951.
Between Japan and the allied powers. Only USSR refused China also did not sign it.
What did the USA require of Japan in return for the San Fransisco Peace Treaty?
Required Japan to sign a bilateral security agreement known as the US-Japan Security Treaty 1951. Giving USA unrestricted use of military bases in Japan etc
What action did the USA take within Japan?
Rearmament. Gradually increased help to Japan from 1952 to 1954. Macarthur started the rearmament, and when Eisenhower took office 1953, Dulles, now Secretary of State wanted an enlarged ground force. By 1954 fund of $240 million.
