03 Chapter:Mauch 23/7/09 14:36 Page 73

PART 3 THE COLD WAR AND JAPANESE SECURITY, – 03 Chapter:Mauch 23/7/09 14:36 Page 75

ESSAY 2: January 1949

“THE PRESENT SITUATION OF ”

Nomura sent a copy of the following essay to O’Laughlin in January 1949 (the accompanying letter is not reproduced in this book). O’Laughlin never responded. Hospitalized in early 1949, he suffered a massive heart attack and was buried at Arlington National Cemetery on March 17, 1949. The essay strongly condemns Japan’s postwar politicians for a multitude of indiscretions, including corruption, petty bickering, and a refusal to confront the Japanese people with the harsh realities of the nation’s situation. The essay also cites the continued strength of Japan’s communists. These two factors bring Nomura back to a now well-worn theme: the need for an indefinite continuation of the occupation. The essay also refers to a directive which MacArthur issued to the Japanese government. Authored by Army Undersecretary William Draper, this directive sought to cut the costs of the occupation, revive the Japanese economy, and enable Japanese companies to again compete in world markets.1 …



[Japan’s] acceptance of the terms of the Potsdam Declaration [in ] meant unconditional surrender. Japanese soldiers had been taught traditionally that surrender was their supreme shame and suicide was preferable to it. As a result, there were many military men as well as civilians who opposed the decision to surrender. There were sporadic disturbances caused by such die-hards. Those disturbances, however, were brought under control quickly as it became known that the surrender was ordered by the Emperor. A considerable number of persons killed themselves. After all, the situation was well controlled generally because an Imperial order was an absolute order. The country would have been in uncontrollable disorder for a considerable period if the authority of the Imperial order was questioned. Immediately following the acceptance of the Potsdam Declaration, a large fleet, reinforced by several British warships, arrived in Japanese water and American army troops landed at various points to begin their occupation. Still perturbed, people in some cities of Japan

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