[Enclosure]
Reply on Behalf of General of the Army Douglas
MacArthur
restricted
Tokyo, February 27,
1948.
My Dear Mr. Shen: In response to the
questions raised by you in your letter of February 24, 1948 to
General MacArthur,1 I am pleased on his behalf, to reply as
follows:
Question No. 1: Is a resurgence of
militarism possible in Japan, once the Occupation is ended? Is
prolonged armed occupation necessary or sufficient to prevent
it? If not, what is necessary and essential?
Answer: Japan has been completely
disarmed; its armed forces are completely demobilized, military
equipment has either been destroyed or turned into scrap,
arsenals and dockyards have been or are being rapidly
dismantled. The physical equipment for any possible military
force simply does not exist. By Japan’s unconditional surrender
the Japanese people have been taught that militarism is a costly
undertaking which defeats its own ends and brings suffering and
disillusionment to its proponents. In my opinion, a resurgence
of militarism in Japan is physically impossible for generations.
In consequence, it does not appear necessary to continue
indefinitely an armed occupation.
Question No. 2: What are the thorniest
problems facing the occupation authorities?
Answer: It appears axiomatic that Japan
can not be a peace-loving democratic nation unless, through its
own efforts, guided and assisted [Page 669] by the Allied nations, it is enabled to
become self-sufficient in its economy and is able to exchange
goods—raw materials and manufactured—with countries having such
raw materials and which are able and willing to engage in such
peaceful exchange. So long as countries refuse to engage in a
peaceful interchange of goods with each other, so long will the
economy of the Far East as a whole remain out of balance. I
therefore believe that a serious and sincere effort on the part
of all Allied nations to find a common ground for negotiation of
the peace is essential.
Question No. 3: Has democracy come to
stay in Japan? Can a proper leadership for post-occupation Japan
finally evolve from among the various existing parties?
Answer: My answer to both questions is
“Yes”. I do not believe that a people who have tasted the fruits
of democracy and who themselves are part and parcel of the
democratic process would again willingly revert to their former
slavery. Under the watchful guidance of the Occupation, the
political parties of Japan have grown and have nurtured and
practised democratic concepts. Leadership is coming to the fore
among the many young men and women who have been given an
opportunity to demonstrate their capabilities. I am confident
that with further encouragement, guidance, and understanding
from all the Allies, democracy in Japan is here to stay.
Question No. 4: Does Communism have a
chance to spread in japan?
Answer: Communism, the extreme left, is
equally as bad as the extreme right. It is a creed of
desperation which feeds upon hunger, hardship, and hopelessness.
The Japanese have already thrown out the extreme right; given a
reasonable chance to become a self-respecting, peace-loving,
democratic nation, I am convinced that the Japanese will
likewise refuse to accept Communism as a system.
Sincerely yours,
W. J. Sebald
Chief, Diplomatic Section and Chairman, Allied
Council for Japan
