U.S. And Japanese Relations Post World War II

             During the post World War II period the U. and Japanese entered a unique relationship that proved mutually beneficial for both parties. Under the new agreement established between the U.S. and Japan, Emperor Hirohito's life would be preserved and his status as "emperor" maintained during the U.S. occupation. This relationship served U.S. political interests as much as it did the interests of the Emperor and Japanese people. The Japanese people realized a transformed society and were introduced to the ideals of democratization in a peaceful and safe manner, the Western agenda was realized and Hirohito preserved his symbolic status and life as a result of these unique relationships.

             Significant research supports the premise that Hirohito needed to remain in power after the Japanese surrender in World War II to aid the United States. During the war Hirohito and his staff worked with the U.S. occupation authorities to protect the emperor against impending war crimes. The United States and Hirohito mutually benefited from this relationship because it eased relations between the U.S. and the Japanese and Hirohito did not face charges as a war criminal. .

             The purpose of these relationships included protecting the political interests of both the United States and Japan. During this time each nation altered the development of the new Japanese democracy to suite their own objectives. It was necessary for the U.S. to create the late emperor's passive image, which directly contradicted his actual role in the war. The U.S.'s decisions to spare Hirohito from prosecution was intended first to ensure an orderly and disciplined Japanese surrender, and next to secure cooperation with the occupation. .

             Background.

             During World War II Japan became politically an enemy of the United States, initiating what many have referred to as "terrorism in the form of warships that attacked and invaded American soil" (Prideaux 1).

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