Source: H.W. Brands. The General vs. The President -
MacArthur and Truman at the Brink of Nuclear War (2016)
MacArthur and Truman at the Brink of Nuclear War (2016)
General Douglas MacArthur landed at Atsugi air base in Japan in August 1945 armed only with his courage, and the knowledge that the Asian way-of-thinking would be more impressed with one man entering the fray as opposed to being escorted/protected by a mass of military might. There were over 20k Japanese soldiers on standby, with Kamikazes ready to go. High-ranking Japanese officials in the government and military had the propellers removed from the Kamikaze planes, as insurance, a fact of which MacArthur was told not long after arriving at Atsugi. According to Winston Churchill, who knew a thing or two about courage, Atsugi was the bravest thing MacArthur had ever done.
Japanese troops lined the way after MacArthur deplaned, looking away, which was the utmost sign of respect, something that was also done during an arrival of Emperor Hirohito. The mystique of MacArthur was never greater than at that moment. In truth, many US personnel, from high-ranking officers to mere musicians, had preceded MacArthur, but the Japanese were beyond-smitten with the general. MacArthur’s first orders were that US soldiers were to stick to their rations so no serviceman consumed food intended for the Japanese. That was the first in a long series of orders, decisions, and actions from MacArthur that allowed Japan to “save face”.
Japanese troops lined the way after MacArthur deplaned, looking away, which was the utmost sign of respect, something that was also done during an arrival of Emperor Hirohito. The mystique of MacArthur was never greater than at that moment. In truth, many US personnel, from high-ranking officers to mere musicians, had preceded MacArthur, but the Japanese were beyond-smitten with the general. MacArthur’s first orders were that US soldiers were to stick to their rations so no serviceman consumed food intended for the Japanese. That was the first in a long series of orders, decisions, and actions from MacArthur that allowed Japan to “save face”.
MacArthur had received no instructions for Washington, D.C. for the official surrender of Japan, which would take place on the USS Missouri. MacArthur, in his own way, made it clear that in would be a different kind of “conquering”, focusing on peace and a combination of maintaining tradition but also monumental change for Japan. The nation of Japan couldn’t believe that they had not been humiliated on the international stage; instead, MacArthur pleaded for freedom, tolerance, and justice. Unlike the horrific Treaty of Versailles that ended World War I, this surrender was not about punishment.
MacArthur and his family resided in the US Embassy, and his office was in a relatively undamaged insurance building. MacArthur was driven around in Tokyo in a black Cadillac (provided by a Filipino benefactor), which featured US military adornments, so there was no mistaking who was in the vehicle. MacArthur was driven around Tokyo with no armed escorts; the general maintained his route and routine despite there being at least one credible threat to his safety. MacArthur truly felt that he wasn’t in any danger, but he also acted in that manner for effect, knowing that repeated acts of fearlessness increased his stature in the eyes of the Japanese.
MacArthur and his family resided in the US Embassy, and his office was in a relatively undamaged insurance building. MacArthur was driven around in Tokyo in a black Cadillac (provided by a Filipino benefactor), which featured US military adornments, so there was no mistaking who was in the vehicle. MacArthur was driven around Tokyo with no armed escorts; the general maintained his route and routine despite there being at least one credible threat to his safety. MacArthur truly felt that he wasn’t in any danger, but he also acted in that manner for effect, knowing that repeated acts of fearlessness increased his stature in the eyes of the Japanese.
MacArthur made no effort to see Emperor Hirohito, knowing that he needed to wait until the Emperor in effect granted him an audience. MacArthur believed that the patience of the East was paramount compared to the impatiences and haste of the West. Before too long, via minions, Hirohito asked to meet MacArthur at the general’s convenience. MacArthur gave orders that Hirohito be treated with the highest levels of respect and dignity upon his arrival at the US Embassy.
Once in the US Embassy, Hirohito was told that only his interpreter could accompany him to see MacArthur; there was palpable panic in the Emperor’s entourage, but only Hirohito and the interpreter were allowed to proceed. MacArthur knew that there was at least some support in DC (and the US) for the Emperor to be tried as a war criminal, and then to be executed, but MacArthur knew that Hirohito was far more valuable and useful if he remained as Emperor. Hirohito told MacArthur that he was solely responsible for Japan’s military and political decisions before-and-during the war, which impressed MacArthur greatly. What greatly impressed the Japanese was how MacArthur treated their Emperor with dignity and respect.
Once in the US Embassy, Hirohito was told that only his interpreter could accompany him to see MacArthur; there was palpable panic in the Emperor’s entourage, but only Hirohito and the interpreter were allowed to proceed. MacArthur knew that there was at least some support in DC (and the US) for the Emperor to be tried as a war criminal, and then to be executed, but MacArthur knew that Hirohito was far more valuable and useful if he remained as Emperor. Hirohito told MacArthur that he was solely responsible for Japan’s military and political decisions before-and-during the war, which impressed MacArthur greatly. What greatly impressed the Japanese was how MacArthur treated their Emperor with dignity and respect.
At that moment, while Hirohito remained Emperor, MacArthur actually was the ruling power, and he wasted no time in starting the amazing transformation of Japan from a feudal nation into a modern democracy. MacArthur had a long checklist of things to accomplish in a short period of time, such as destroying the military, write a new constitution, form a new framework of national government, promote capitalism, and develop a free press. Freeing farmers meant that Japan had to make a total break from feudalism, which took more time and effort, and Japanese women getting the right to vote was also a seachange.
As far as the new national constitution, when the existing Japanese government (the Diet) didn’t cooperate, MacArthur wrote the changes himself, including a “no war” clause, which meant that Japan could no longer use war as a tool as a sovereign nation. The Japanese Diet accepted "MacArthur’s Constitution", as it commonly became to be known, and the first elections were held in April 1946: 13m women voted, and 38 women were elected to some level of public office.
As far as the new national constitution, when the existing Japanese government (the Diet) didn’t cooperate, MacArthur wrote the changes himself, including a “no war” clause, which meant that Japan could no longer use war as a tool as a sovereign nation. The Japanese Diet accepted "MacArthur’s Constitution", as it commonly became to be known, and the first elections were held in April 1946: 13m women voted, and 38 women were elected to some level of public office.
When famine became a serious threat, MacArthur commandeered three million tons of food from the US Army, shrugging off as irrelevant the resulting Congressional hearings in DC. MacArthur oversaw the War Crimes Trials, which included Tojo, who was convicted and sentenced to death. MacArthur refused to grant permission for government and media requests from the US to witness the executions.
MacArthur became in institution in Japan, and the general’s “Spartan Lifestyle” was celebrated. For example, the entire nation knew what MacArthur had for breakfast: fruit, cereal, eggs, toast, and coffee, and for lunch and dinner, MacArthur had soup, salad, and coffee. MacArthur worked every day, including holidays, and he never took a vacation. The general’s daily escape was watching movies every evening in his favorite rocking chair.
MacArthur’s energy seemed unlimited, and within a few years, most Japanese couldn’t envision their nation without MacArthur, since he had spared them from disgrace and humiliation while also guiding the way to a better future. Considering what the Japanese people had to endure under his predecessors, most hoped that the general would never leave. Although MacArthur is one of the most famous generals in US History, serving as a high-ranking officer in World War I, and a field commander in World War II and the Korean War, the greatest service he gave to his nation was rebuilding Japan from 1945 to 1950.
MacArthur became in institution in Japan, and the general’s “Spartan Lifestyle” was celebrated. For example, the entire nation knew what MacArthur had for breakfast: fruit, cereal, eggs, toast, and coffee, and for lunch and dinner, MacArthur had soup, salad, and coffee. MacArthur worked every day, including holidays, and he never took a vacation. The general’s daily escape was watching movies every evening in his favorite rocking chair.
MacArthur’s energy seemed unlimited, and within a few years, most Japanese couldn’t envision their nation without MacArthur, since he had spared them from disgrace and humiliation while also guiding the way to a better future. Considering what the Japanese people had to endure under his predecessors, most hoped that the general would never leave. Although MacArthur is one of the most famous generals in US History, serving as a high-ranking officer in World War I, and a field commander in World War II and the Korean War, the greatest service he gave to his nation was rebuilding Japan from 1945 to 1950.
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