| Japan | GHQ, US Government and Others | ||
|---|---|---|---|
1945 |
1945 |
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| October 27 | Constitutional Problems Investigation Committee explains its operation at its first general meeting (it then goes on to meet seven times by February 2, 1946). | ||
| October 30 | Constitutional Problems Investigation Committee freely debates the Meiji Constitution at its first investigative meeting (following that, including subcommittee meetings, it meets 15 times before January 26, 1946). | October 30 | FEAC meets for the first time (Soviet Union refuses to take part). |
| November 1 | GHQ issues a statement repudiating any connection with Konoye regarding the constitutional revision problem. Joint Chiefs of Staff (JCS) issues the "Basic Initial Post-Surrender Directive to Supreme Commander for the Allied Powers for the Occupation and Control of Japan " (JCS1380/5). |
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| November 2 | Constitutional Problems Investigation Committee studies the various points to work on at its second investigative meeting. Japan Socialist Party formed (with Tetsu Katayama as its Secretary-General). |
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| November 5 | Cabinet decides on matters related to responsibility for the war (it is confirmed that the Emperor holds no responsibility for the war). | November 5 | Atcheson sends a wire to Truman about "wrong" translation of the word "constitution" in MacArthur’s suggestions for Konoye. |
| November 6 | Communist Party Expansion Propaganda Committee announces its "Platform of the People’s Battlefront." | November 6 | GHQ issues "Memorandum on the Dissolution of Holding Companies " (Dismantling of Zaibatsu). |
| November 7 | Japan Communist Party convenes its first nationwide convention (where they decide on "The Essentials of the New Constitution "). | ||
| November 8 | Japan Communist Party convenes its first nationwide convention (where they decide on "The Essentials of the New Constitution "). | ||
| November 9 | Matsumoto explains the status of the Constitutional Problems Investigation Committee’s activities to the press. Japan Liberal Party founded (with Ichiro Hatoyama as its leader). |
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| November 10 | At the second general meeting of the Constitutional Problems Investigation Committee, Matsumoto mentions the possibility of revising the Constitution. | ||
| November 11 | Japan Communist Party announces "The Essentials of the New Constitution. " | ||
| November 16 | Japan Progressive Party founded (with Chuji Machida as its leader). | November 16 | GHQ issues a directive prohibiting undemocratic movies. |
| November 18 | GHQ issues "Memorandum on Imperial Household Property" (prohibiting, among other activities, the transfers of property from the Imperial Household). | ||
| November 19 | GHQ issues orders to arrest 11 people suspected of war crimes including Sadao Araki and Yosuke Matsuoka. | ||
| November 21 | Abolition of the Peace Police Law promulgated. | ||
| November 22 | Konoye presents his Draft of Constitution Revision to the Emperor. | ||
| November 24 | Sasaki presents "Necessity to Reform the Imperial Constitution" to the Emperor. Office of the Lord Keeper of the Privy Seal abolished. At the fourth general meeting of the Constitutional Problems Investigation Committee the members of the committee agree that each of them should make his own proposed revision. |
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| November 26 | The 89th (extraordinary) session of the Imperial Diet convened (opening ceremony held November 27, House of Representatives dissolved December 18). | ||
| November 30 | General Staff Office abolished. | ||
| December 1 | Ministry of War and Ministry of the Navy abolished. Japan Communist Party holds its fourth rally reestablishing its party after a 19-year hiatus. |
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| December 2 | GHQ issues orders to arrest 59 people suspected of war crimes including Koki Hirota and Kiichiro Hiranuma. | ||
| December 6 | Milo Rowel in the Government Section makes his "Report of Preliminary Studies and Recommendations of Constitution."GHQ issues orders to arrest nine people suspected of war crimes including Konoye and Koichi Kido. | ||
| December 8 | Matsumoto announces what is to become known as "Matsumoto's four-point principle" to the Budget Committee in the House of Representatives. | ||
| December 9 | GHQ issues "Memorandum on Rural Land Reform. " | ||
| December 15 | GHQ issues "Memorandum on the Abolition of Governmental Sponsorship, Support, Perpetuation, Control and Dissemination of State Shinto." Courtney Whitney assumes the duties of Chief of the Government Section. |
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| December 16 | Konoye commits suicide by taking poison. | December 16 | Foreign Ministers of the United States, United Kingdom, and Soviet Union meet at the Moscow Conference until December 26, to discuss the problems of occupation, establishing peace, and other Far East issues. |
| December 17 | House of Representatives Election Law Revision promulgated (women gain right to vote). | ||
| December 18 | House of Representatives dissolved. Japan Cooperative Party formed (chaired by Sanehiko Yamamoto). |
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| December 19 | Public Opinion Survey Division in the Bureau of Information issues "Report on the Survey Regarding Constitutional Reform. " | ||
| December 20 | National General Mobilization Law and Wartime Emergency Measure Law repealed. | ||
| December 21 | Mainichi Shimbun publishes "Prince Konoye Constitutional Revision Draft Proposal. " | ||
| December 22 | Trade Union Law promulgated. | ||
| December 26 | At the sixth general meeting of the Constitutional Problems Investigation Committee, they decide to produce two proposals, one with major revisions and one with minor revisions. Junji Nomura, Advisor to the Committee, presents his opinion to the Committee. Constitution Investigation Association announces its "Outline of Constitution Draft." |
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| December 27 | Communiqué announced at Moscow Conference Foreign Ministers (Korean Trusteeship, Far Eastern Commission (FEC), and Allied Council for Japan (ACJ) set up). | ||
| December 28 | Religious Body Law repealed and Religious Corporations Ordinance promulgated. | ||
| December 29 | Amendments to Agricultural Land Adjustment Law (First Land Reform), and issues related to restoring full qualifications to political offenders promulgated. | ||
| December 31 | Bureau of Information abolished. | December 31 | Allied Translation and Interpreters Service (ATIS) translates the Constitution Investigation Association proposal. |
1946 |
1946 |
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| January 1 | The Emperor issues Imperial Rescript denying his divinity (professing his humanity). Matsumoto begins drafting the Tentative Revision of the Constitution. |
January 1 | MacArthur indicates his satisfaction with the Imperial denial of divinity. |
| January 2 | Atcheson reports to the Secretary of State on the Constitution Investigation Association proposal. | ||
| January 3 | Department of War announces MacArthur’s report regarding control of Japan (covering the democratization and reeducation of the Japanese people). | ||
| January 4 | Matsumoto completes his draft of the "Tentative Revision of the Constitution." Miyazawa submits two versions of drafts at the subcommittee meeting of the Constitutional Problems Investigation Committee (eighth investigative meeting) attended by Miyazawa, Irie, and Tatsuo Sato. |
January 4 | GHQ issues a directive ordering the removal and exclusion of militarists from public office and the dissolution of ultra-nationalist societies. |
| January 7 | Matsumoto Draft presented to the Emperor. | January 7 | SWNCC enacts "Reform of the Japanese Governmental System " (SWNCC228). |
| January 9 | Matsumoto submits his draft at the subcommittee meeting of the Constitutional Problems Investigation Committee (tenth investigative meeting). | January 9 | FEAC delegation arrives in Japan. |
| January 11 | SWNCC sends "SWNCC228" notice to MacArthur for his "information". Rowel submits his observations on the proposal by Constitution Investigation Association to Chief of Staff. |
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| January 12 | Association of Democratic Scientists holds its inaugural meeting. Sanzo Nosaka returns to Japan from Yanan, China. |
January 12 | GHQ issues "Memorandum on Elections" permitting general elections to be held on or after March 15. |
| January 13 | Shidehara cabinet reorganized (changes brought by purge orders). | ||
| January 14 | Nosaka, in association with the Central Committee of the Communist Party, issues a statement calling for overthrow of the "Emperor system" as an institution but to allow the will of the people to determine whether or not to treat the "Imperial House " as an object of worship. | ||
| January 17 | FEAC delegation questions GHQ Government Section about amendments to Constitution. | ||
| January 19 | MacArthur approves Charter of the International Military Tribunal for the Far East and orders it to be established. | ||
| January 21 | Japan Liberal Party announces its "Outline of Constitutional Reforms." All Japan Lawyers' Association decides at a general assembly on their "Draft of Constitution Revision." |
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| January 23 | Shidehara meets the press and emphasizes necessity for retaining a constitutional monarchy. | ||
| January 24 | Shidehara consults with MacArthur (they discuss matters regarding continuation of the Emperor system and renunciation of war). | ||
| January 25 | Takano proposes holding a democratic constitutional convention. | January 25 | MacArthur sends a brief to Chief of Staff Dwight Eisenhower regarding exempting the Emperor from responsibility for war crimes. |
| January 26 | At the fifteenth investigative meeting of Constitutional Problems Investigation Committee, deliberation made on "Gist of the Revision of the Constitution" (Proposal A: outline version of Matsumoto Draft) and "Tentative Revision of the Constitution" (Proposal B). | ||
| January 27 | Historical Science Society holds symposium on "A History of Monarchy in Various Countries" (regarding the history of the Emperor system in Japan and the monarchies of the U.K., Germany, France and Russia). | ||
| January 28 | GHQ issues "Memorandum on Motion Picture Censorship. " | ||
| January 29 | Matsumoto requests his constitutional revision proposal to be studied in cabinet meetings. | January 29 | MacArthur meets with FEAC delegation and tells them that he has limited himself merely to suggestions on the Constitution problem. GHQ terminates the Japanese government’s right to control the Ryukyu Islands and the Bonin Islands. |
| January 30 | The Matsumoto Draft, Proposals A and B are discussed in a cabinet extraordinary meeting (until February 4). Prime Minister Shidehara requests military stipulations be deleted. |
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| January 31 | US-Australian Governmental Agreement Announcement made regarding the British Commonwealth Occupation Force (BCOF). | ||
