Removal of Restrictions on Political, Civil, and Religious Liberties

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The Removal of Restrictions on Political, Civil, and Religious Liberties, also known as the (SCAPIN-93) directive, the "Human Rights Directive", or "Civil Liberties Directive", was a directive issued by the Supreme Commander for the Allied Powers on October 4, 1945 during the Occupation of Japan. The directive mandated the abolition of laws preventing criticism of the Japanese Imperial system, repealing fifteen existing laws, including the Peace Preservation Law and the Thought Control Law (Ideological Prisoner Custody and Surveillance Law), and releasing all political prisoners.

Supreme Commander for the Allied Powers

The Supreme Commander for the Allied Powers (SCAP) was the title held by General Douglas MacArthur during the Allied occupation of Japan following World War II. It issued SCAP Directive to the Japanese government, aiming to transform it into a non-terrorist nation.

Occupation of Japan Allied occupation of Japan following WWII

The Allied occupation of Japan at the end of World War II was led by General Douglas MacArthur, the Supreme Commander of the Allied Powers, with support from the British Commonwealth. Unlike in the occupation of Germany, the Soviet Union was allowed little to no influence over Japan. This foreign presence marks the only time in Japan's history that it has been occupied by a foreign power. The country became a parliamentary democracy that recalled "New Deal" priorities of the 1930s by Roosevelt. The occupation, codenamed Operation Blacklist, was ended by the San Francisco Peace Treaty, signed on September 8, 1951, and effective from April 28, 1952, after which Japan's sovereignty – with the exception, until 1972, of the Ryukyu Islands – was fully restored.

Peace Preservation Law series of laws during the Empire of Japan (1925-1945)

The Public Security Preservation Laws, commonly referred to as the Peace Preservation Laws, were a series of laws enacted from 1894 to 1925 during the Empire of Japan. Collectively, the laws were designed to suppress political dissent.

The purpose of the Removal of Restrictions was to dismantle the oppressive policies that were imposed on the Japanese citizenry before the end of World War II. The directive led to the repealing of the Peace Preservation Law, the freedom to criticize the Emperor of Japan, and the release of 3,000 political prisoners. [1] [2]

World War II 1939–1945 global war

World War II, also known as the Second World War, was a global war that lasted from 1939 to 1945. The vast majority of the world's countries—including all the great powers—eventually formed two opposing military alliances: the Allies and the Axis. A state of total war emerged, directly involving more than 100 million people from over 30 countries. The major participants threw their entire economic, industrial, and scientific capabilities behind the war effort, blurring the distinction between civilian and military resources. World War II was the deadliest conflict in human history, marked by 50 to 85 million fatalities, most of whom were civilians in the Soviet Union and China. It included massacres, the genocide of the Holocaust, strategic bombing, premeditated death from starvation and disease, and the only use of nuclear weapons in war.

Emperor of Japan Head of state of Japan

The Emperor of Japan is the head of the Imperial Family and the head of state of Japan. Under the 1947 constitution, he is defined as "the symbol of the State and of the unity of the people." Historically, he was also the highest authority of the Shinto religion. In Japanese, the Emperor is called Tennō (天皇), literally "heavenly sovereign". In English, the use of the term Mikado for the Emperor was once common, but is now considered obsolete.

Prime Minister Naruhiko Higashikuni resigned five days after the directive was issued because he was not able to implement the reforms stipulated. [2] His successor, Kijūrō Shidehara, released 3,000 political prisoners, and abolished the "Thought Control Law" and 15 other laws and statutes. [2]

Kijūrō Shidehara Japanese politician

Baron Kijūrō Shidehara was a prominent pre–World War II Japanese diplomat and the 44th Prime Minister of Japan from 9 October 1945 to 22 May 1946. He was a leading proponent of pacifism in Japan before and after World War II, and was also the last Japanese prime minister who was a member of the kazoku. His wife, Masako, was the fourth daughter of Iwasaki Yatarō, founder of the Mitsubishi zaibatsu.

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References

  1. ↑ "5-3 The Occupation and the Beginning of Reform - Modern Japan in archives". Modern Japan in Archives. National Diet Library. Retrieved 20 January 2015.
  2. 1 2 3 "Glossary and Abbreviations". Birth of the Constitution of Japan. National Diet Library. Retrieved 20 January 2015.
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