Planning for Macarthur Harnessing the Complexity of Postwar Japan

This book proposes General MacArthur's staff based the operational plan for Japanese occupation activities on understanding operational environment's realities, strategic guidance, and the Japanese culture to prepare for and execute the occupation of Japan from April 1945 to November 1946. Regarding the operational environment, planners focused primarily on the economy, government and military to institute immediate change in 1945. The speed of change is the emergent trait inherent in all three lines of effort during the initial years of MacArthur's military government in Japan. Planners received guidance from international actors in the form of the Potsdam Proclamation, as well as from within the United States Government executive departments. Finally, with respect to considering culture in executing the occupation plan, operational planners implemented immediate change in Japan's education system, facilitated religious tolerance and strictly controlled information through censorship and targeted information operations.