The Pittsburgh Press (February 17, 1946)
Editorial: Progress in Japan
Success of the American occupation of Japan exceeds expectations. Almost all officials and correspondents who have had a chance to compare at first hand the situations in Germany and Japan comment more favorably on our achievements in Japan.
The fact that there is unified command in Tokyo, contrasted with the four-way split in Berlin, is not the only reason, but certainly it is a major factor.
The Allied Far Eastern Commission has just returned to Washington from its trip of investigation. Though its formal report is not completed, its general reaction is indicated by this statement: “The commission has been impressed with the statesmanship of the Supreme Commander, Gen. MacArthur, and his staff.”
The latest report by Gen. MacArthur’s headquarters finds the Japanese people’s response to the demilitarization and democratization program encouraging. That program goes beyond the more obvious moves, such as disarmament, arrest of war criminals, dissolution of the secret societies, elimination of the Gestapo-type police system, breakup of the zaibatsu monopolies, and withdrawal of state support from Shintoism.
As a result, the Jap press, radio and schools are developing more freedom. Labor unions are functioning. A women’s movement is attacking the traditional discriminations. Youth organizations are flourishing.
But it would be calamitous for us to mistake these faint beginnings for anything more than that. We must be able to recognize and encourage this change without forgetting that it is a very slow process at best.