Question

During the US occupation of Japan after World War II, Japan’s military was

Answer 1

I am fairly sure it is D. I remember learning the chant "The US wanted to demilitarize and democratize Japan".

Answer 2

Answer:

The correct answer is D. During the US occupation of Japan after World War II, Japan’s military was dismantled by the US military.

Explanation:

The occupation in Japan began on September 2, 1945 with the surrender of Japan, which marked the end of the Pacific War and thus the Second World War. With the peace treaty of San Francisco concluded on September 8, 1951, the occupation on the Japanese main islands ended.

Japan's military capabilities were severely limited by Article 9 of the Japanese Constitution enacted during the occupation. This article states that the Japanese people are forever relinquishing their sovereign right - as a state - to settle international disputes by force and that Japan will never have land, air or sea power.

However, the geopolitical reality of the Cold War was different. In 1949, China became communist, and a year later North Korea invaded the south. Japan became an ally of the United States and because of its location was considered of great importance in controlling communism (containment policy). From a cost perspective alone, it was desirable for Japan to be able to maintain its own armed forces. The US proceeded to encourage Japanese rearmament, which was also echoed in Japan in view of the hostile states of China and North Korea.