The Japanese Government (1945–1952)

Under the Allied Occupation, the Japanese government continued to administer the country while maintaining the existing administrative structure under the occupation and governance of the General Headquarters of the Supreme Commander for the Allied Powers (GHQ) following World War II. GHQ exercised strong supervisory and directive authority over the Japanese government, which, in accordance with its directives and requirements, undertook the democratization and demilitarization of Japan’s political, economic, and social institutions. 

After the Shidehara Kijūrō Cabinet was formed in October 1945, consideration began on revising the Constitution, but the government’s draft was deemed not to meet the level of reform sought by GHQ. In February 1946, GHQ therefore prepared its own draft constitution. Following revisions by the Japanese government and deliberations in the Diet, the Constitution of Japan was promulgated on November 3, 1946, and came into effect on May 3, 1947. 

The Occupation ended with the entry into force of the Treaty of San Francisco on April 28, 1952, and Japan regained its sovereignty.