Allies planned to help economy and prevent remilitarizing. GB, SU, CN had advisory role, MacArthur final authority.
Allies held war crime trials, dismantled army and banned ex-officers from future political leadership.
Land reform benefited tenant farmers & reduced rich landowner powers (many were expansionist). Zaibatsu (business conglomerates) were broken up because free-market.
1947: Allied advisors basically wrote Constitution. Made Emperor figurehead, empowered Parliament, ditched non-self-defense armed forces.
1947-48 Japan has econ crisis and people worry about communism. People really tried to strengthen JP economy.