Instant Constitution

I'm currently reading this book about Japan in the immediate aftermath of WWII, which focuses heavily on the relationship between the Japanese Government, the people of Japan, Emperor Hirohito, and the General Headquarters (GHQ). It's pretty heavy reading, and almost feels like I'm taking a class, but its really facinating stuff. Among the more interesting points I've found so far:

• Gen. MacArthur assumed the position of "Supreme Commander" over Japan, and assumed the most power over it ever wielded by a single person, essentially accountable to no one but the US President and Allied Command, whom he found convenient to keep out of the loop. He approached Japan with an almost missionary and paternalistic approach- he wanted to completely remake Japan as one would reform a wayward son.
• Emperor Hirohito, who, at the very least, was informed of the decision to strike Pearl Harbor, and who had at least some role in the wartime aggression, was kept protected along with the Imperial throne in Allied decision-making even before the end of the war. War planners saw his use as a stabilizing influence pre-surrender, and MacArthur saw him as an avenue for institutionalizing reform. GHQ discouraged him from abdication, which he considered several times as a means to apologize to the people.
• High-ranking officers under Hirohito and other military leaders tried for War Crimes were coached in their testimony to deflect blame for war away from Hirohito. They took the blame for themselves and were executed, giving their lives to the security of the Emperor's position. GHQ spread word to the prosecution that no suspicion would be allowed to be cast on Hirohito.
• GHQ deliberately ended a fast rising tide of popular socialism that grew in Japan as a result of freedoms of the press, to strike, and political dissent. On the eve of the largest general strike, GHQ denied permission and then took action to secure the place of political conservatives, all the while promoting democracy.
• Most astounding to me, the Constitution of Japan was essentially written in six intense days by a group of idealistic young Americans working for the GHQ, roughly based on a bullet list scribbled out by MacArthur. No consultation with the Japanese (although it coincided closely with a draft presented by a grassroots political group.) What balls.
• The conservative government were understandably stunned when presented with the "model" constitution, but eventually accepted it with the understanding that if they rejected it, the GHQ would take it directly to the people. 

The whole constitution thing really blows me away. The US constitution took nearly four months of work by founding patriots who had fought for the right of popular sovereignty. The Japanese Constitution was written in six days by an occupational force in secrecy and without the input of the Japanese. Ultimately, the conservatives in power were able to shape the final document sightly by tweaking the verbiage and terminology as it was translated back and forth from English to Japanese. 

I'm still working my way through it.