Lot 122, Box 53
Memorandum Prepared by the Inter-Divisional Area Committee on the Far East
CAC–126
Japan: Military Occupation: Proclamations
I. The Problem
It will be desirable to inform the people of Japan concerning the purposes of military government. What special statements should be included in any proclamations to be issued by the military commander? (3–q)96 (The problem has been broadened herein to cover the general problem of proclamations.)
II. Basic Factors
Section VI, paragraphs 35 and 36, of the United States Army and Navy Manual of Military Government and Civil Affairs (FM 27–5) furnishes a suitable guide for drawing up proclamations regarding the occupation of Japan. The replies prepared to other questions propounded by the War and Navy Departments provide the basic information for filling in the political items called for in the outline.
Because of their immediate circulation and unquestionable authority, proclamations should include a few basic statements designed to impress upon the Japanese people the reasons for and the purposes of the occupation and to encourage popular cooperation. The press and radio and similar media of public information are, however, more suitable for the development of material of this character. Such material can have an important influence on political developments in Japan during the period of occupation.
The popular reaction to proclamations will depend to a very great extent upon the skill of the translator. In the Japanese language it is necessary to a unique degree to choose the proper words and forms in order to inspire respect rather than invite ridicule and to convey the correct impression of the authority of the occupying forces and of their attitude toward the Japanese people.
III. Recommendations
- 1.
- The Department of State regards Section VI, paragraphs 35 and 36, of the United States Army and Navy Manual of Military [Page 1210] Government and Civil Affairs (FM 27–5) as a suitable guide for drawing up proclamations for use in the occupation of Japan.
- 2.
- Political items in the proclamation should be prepared in the light of the State Department’s replies to other questions propounded by the War and Navy Departments.
- 3.
- The State Department believes that most of the material
designed to impress upon the Japanese people the reasons for and
the purposes of the occupation and to encourage popular
cooperation can best be disseminated by media such as the press
and radio. However, it is recommended that the initial
proclamation include the following basic material:
- a.
- A statement that Japan launched upon a career of unbridled aggression, which aggression forced the powers attacked by Japan to fight and to defeat Japan in their own self-defense. To insure Japan’s defeat, military occupation of Japan by the countries thus attacked by Japan has become necessary for the purpose of destroying the bases of Japan’s aggression.
- b.
- A statement that punishment of the Japanese people as a whole is not one of the purposes of the occupation, and, consequently, the treatment of the Japanese people and the duration of the occupation will depend in large measure on their behavior.
- c.
- If the Emperor is in the hands of the occupying forces, a statement (or a separate proclamation, issued at the earliest possible time by the occupying authorities) regarding the whereabouts, welfare and status of the Emperor, supplemented, if possible, by a proclamation issued by the Emperor himself to inform the people of his safety and to command them to comply with the directions of the occupying forces. (As explained in CAC 93,97 the Emperor has a unique hold over the Japanese people.)
- 4.
- It is recommended that so far as possible the military authorities prepare their proclamations in advance and consult the State Department regarding both the English and Japanese texts thereof.
Prepared and reviewed by the Inter-Divisional Area Committee on the Far East.
| JA: | BE Johansen (Drafting Officer) | FSO: | EHDooman |
| TS: | GHBlakeslee | JA: | ERDickover |
| HBorton | CA: | OEClubb | |
| KAFearey | LA: | ALMoffat | |
| PRJosselyn | ME: | MBHall | |
| FE: | JWBallantine | FMA: | CFRemer |