John Dower’s “Embracing Defeat” truly conveys the Japanese experience of American occupation from within by focusing on the social, cultural, and philosophical aspects of a country devastated by World War II. His capturing of the Japanese peoples’ voice let us, as readers, empathize with those who had to start over in a “new nation.” The initial terms of surrender were laid out in the Potsdam Declaration of July 26, 1945, in which the United States, Great Britain, and China all participated. But unlike post World War II Germany, which was split into four quadrants among the Allies, the occupation of Japan was solely and American endeavor. This document was by no means tame. Military occupation would see to it that its measure would be properly carried out. Justice would be served to those “who deceived and misled the people of Japan into embarking on world conquest,” Disarmament of the military, reparations as the Allies saw fit, and the “remove all obstacles to the revival and strengthening of democratic tendencies among the Japanese people” were also to be enacted. At the head of this revolution, as spelled out in Potsdam, was Douglas MacArthur. General Douglas MacArthur, the Supreme Commander of the Allied Power (otherwise known as SCAP), from day one became, except in name, dictator of Japan. No aspect of the Japanese nation was untouched, with special attention directed to the areas military, government, and the economy. While most revolutions throughout history have emanated from below, starting from the people, the social and political changes forthcoming was truly a “revolution from above.” Within a month of landing numerous measures were enacted, either to dissolve existing laws or to create new ones. The “thought police” of the Home Ministry was done away with, as was the Peace Preservation Law of 1925, in which thousands of gover...
