2.1.1

Japan

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Japan

In 1945 the allies were keen to prevent any possible alliance between Japan and the USSR. Japan was clearly an important country in the USA’s policy of containment.

Illustrative background for Reconstruction of postwar JapanIllustrative background for Reconstruction of postwar Japan ?? "content

Reconstruction of postwar Japan

  • At Potsdam, the Japanese accepted that they would be occupied by allied forces if they wanted assistance in their postwar recovery.
  • The allied countries assisted with de-militarisation and democratisation Japan. They worked to set up a new liberal government so that there was no longer a right-wing imperial power in the East.
  • Japan was also given efficient taxation, a balanced budget and membership to the General Agreement on Tariffs and Trade which was an international agreement to assist with minimising international trade tariffs.
Illustrative background for The San Francisco Peace Treaty, 1951Illustrative background for The San Francisco Peace Treaty, 1951 ?? "content

The San Francisco Peace Treaty, 1951

  • Japan was seen as a vital country to assist the USA with its policy of containment in Asia.
  • In 1951 a peace treaty between Japan and the USA was signed- the San Francisco Peace Treaty. Other allied powers (not the USSR) also signed the treaty.
  • The treaty stated that Japan renounced its claims on any neighbouring territories in the East including Taiwan and Korea. It also returned the sovereignty of Japan.
Illustrative background for The US-Japan Security Treaty, 1951Illustrative background for The US-Japan Security Treaty, 1951 ?? "content

The US-Japan Security Treaty, 1951

  • The US-Japan Security Treaty (1951) was signed immediately after the San Francisco Peace Treaty.
  • It gave the USA unrestricted use of military bases in Japan, administrative control over the island of Okinawa, the right to use military force in Japan, the right to veto Japanese offers of military bases in other countries.
Illustrative background for Japanese rearmament Illustrative background for Japanese rearmament  ?? "content

Japanese rearmament

  • The USA monitored Japanese rearmament between 1951-1954 and limited the size of their military.
  • After 1954, Japan was allowed to have armed forces that were defensive only and limited to 140,000 men.
  • The USA allowed Japan to increase the size of its military in order to protect them against the growing threat of Communist countries in the East.

Jump to other topics

1Origins of the Cold War, 1945-9

2Widening of the Cold War

3The Global War

4Confrontation & Cooperation

5Brezhnev Era

6Ending of the Cold War

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