Letter from Douglas MacArthur to Prime Minister dated 3 January 1947

Dear Mr. Prime Minister:

In connection with their consideration of political developments in Japan during the course of the past year, the Allied Powers have decided, in order to insure to the Japanese people full and continuing freedom of opportunity to re-examine, review, and if deemed necessary amend the new constitution in the light of experience gained from its actual operation, that between the first and second years of its effectivity it should again be subjected to their formal review and that of the Japanese Diet. If they deem it necessary at that time, they may additionally require a referendum or some other appropriate procedure for ascertaining directly Japanese opinion with respect to it. In other words, as the bulwark of future Japanese freedom, the Allied Powers feel that there should be no future doubt that the constitution expresses both the free and considered will of the Japanese people.

These continuing rights of review are of course inherent, but I am nevertheless acquainting you with the position thus taken by the Allied Powers in order that you may be fully informed in the premises.

With cordial wishes for the new year,


Mr. Shigeru Yoshida,
Prime Minister of Japan,
Tokyo.