Documents with Commentaries Part 5 Enactment of the Constitution of Japan
These materials include the letter from the Chairman of the FEC informing the U.S. Government of "Provisions for the Review of a New Japanese Constitution" (FEC-031/41), which was unanimously approved by the FEC at its 30th meeting on October 17, 1946. Excerpts from the minutes of that meeting were also included in the letter. The FEC set out a policy at this meeting providing that, "not sooner than one year and not later than two years," the Diet and the FEC should review the new Constitution. The excerpts from the meeting show how the members of the commission discussed the timing and method to make the announcement to the Japanese people of this decision to require the review of the Constitution. These discussions resulted in the commission deciding that an announcement earlier than the enactment of the new Constitution was inappropriate, which was proposed by the U.S. delegation. In fact, this FEC policy was not announced until March 20, 1948.
In a letter dated January 3, 1947, MacArthur informed Prime Minister Yoshida that the Allied Powers had decided that the Constitution should be subjected to a formal review of the Japanese people and the Diet and should be amended if necessary. Yoshida's reply, dated January 6, was short and stated simply "I acknowledge receipt of your letter… and have carefully noted the contents."
| Actual Title of Source | Provisions for the Review of a New Japanese Constitution (FEC-031/41) |
|---|---|
| Date | October 17, 1946 |
| Document Number | Records of the Far Eastern Commission, 1945-1952 Box No. 204 "Policy No. 21; Provisions for the Review of a New Japanese Constitution (FEC 031/41,1946.10.17)" <Sheet No. FEC (A) 1023> |
| Repository (reproduction) | National Diet Library |
| Repository | U.S. National Archives & Records Administration (RG43) |
| Note | Microfiche |
| Actual Title of Source | Letter from Douglas MacArthur to Prime Minister dated January 3, 1947 |
|---|---|
| Date | January 3, 1947 |
| Document Number | Diplomatic Records A'1.0.0.1 "Correspondence and Records of Meetings of SCAP and his Staff with Japan Prime Minister and Other High Japanese Officials" <GAI-1, Reel No. A'-0055> |
| Repository (reproduction) | National Diet Library |
| Repository | Ministry of Foreign Affairs |
| Note | Microfilm |
| Actual Title of Source | Letter from Shigeru Yoshida to General MacArthur dated 6 January 1947 |
|---|---|
| Date | 6 January 1947 |
| Document Number | MacArthur Memorial Archives, RG 5: Records of General Headquarters Supreme Commander for the Allied Powers (SCAP), 1945-1951, SCAP Box No. 73 "Election–Flow Sheets"<MMA-3, Roll No. 66> |
| Repository (reproduction) | National Diet Library |
| Repository | MacArthur Memorial |
| Note | Microfilm |
