[Enclosure]
Memorandum by the Acting Political Adviser
in Japan (Atcheson)
Memorandum for: Supreme Commander and
Chief of Staff.
Subject: The Present Diet and the
Forthcoming Elections.
Among the questions arising out of the forthcoming elections
is whether there is any possibility that the elections will
produce a Diet that is actually democratic in character as
contrasted with the present reactionary body. We seriously
fear that such possibility is very slight indeed, especially
as the new political parties lack experience and will not
have time to develop their organizations to the point of
being in position to exert sufficient influence in the
elections. The number and diversity of the new parties alone
constitute strong obstacles
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against successful competition with
well-intrenched and reactionary politicians.
We suggest that consideration be given to what means might be
appropriately pursued toward insuring that the Diet not be
returned to office. Interference with the elections is, of
course, out of the question as a matter of principle. But
there is ample justification under the Potsdam Declaration
to inform Shidehara that the present Diet members are
(Article 10) “obstacles to the revival and strengthening of
democratic tendencies among the Japanese people” and should
not, therefore, stand for re-election.
Most of the present Diet members, it is understood, are
members of the Great Japan Political Association, which is
an outgrowth of the Imperial Rule Assistance Association,
and would also fall within the purview of the second
sentence, section one, part III of the general initial
policy directive: “Persons who have been active exponents of
militarism and militant nationalism will be removed and
excluded from public office and from any other position of
public or substantial private responsibility.”
If this suggestion is approved, Shidehara might also be
informed that there should be no publicity in carrying out
the Supreme Commander’s oral instruction in this matter.
