“MacArthur’s Japan” is a 1949 report on post-war Japan, General Douglas MacArthur’s role as head of the Supreme Command for Allied Powers (SCAP). The film looks at reconstruction efforts, and Emperor Hirohito renouncing his divinity, his subjects putting feudalism and dictatorship behind them and embracing democracy. This film was one of the “Forum Edition” films made by the March of Time for classroom and theatrical use. Japan was occupied and administered by the Allies from September 2, 1945 until the Treaty of San Francisco took effect on April 28, 1952. The occupation involved nearly one million Allied soldiers.

00:00 The film opens with General Douglas MacArthur and staff emerging from headquarters at the Dai Ichi Life Insurance Building to crowds. He climbs into a Cadillac. 01:16 Ginza main street in Tokyo. A traffic cop directs cars and cyclists. 01:27 Intersection of Ginza Ave and Z Ave. Military police in a Willys MB jeep transport a Japanese official. 01:33 The Sept 2, 1945 signing of surrender in Tokyo Harbor aboard the USS Missouri, an Iowa Class Battleship. 01:51 Japanese work together to clean up destruction in Tokyo. Women pump water from a well. 02:04 Debris from wrecked factories cleared. 02:18 Workers cut up iron cannon. 02:21 Japan war criminals, including General Hideki Tojo enter the courtroom under guard. 02:45 Emperor Hirohito and entourage ride horses. Soldiers bow in reverence. Hirohito greeted by subjects who bow reverently. 03:17 Hirohito escorts his wife, Nagako Kuni through an orchard. 03:31 Masahito and Akihito swim in a pond. Hirohito collects water samples in a small jar and studies the marine life. 03:55 General MacArthur’s salutes passing American soldiers on parade at an official function. General and Mrs. MacArthur socialize at a private event. 04:34 Representatives from the U.S., British Commonwealth, China, and Soviet Union discuss occupation policy at the Allied Council for Japan. 04:57 MacArthur and staff meet with General Courtney Whitney and Japanese leaders. 05:22 Hirohito leads a session in Congress at The National Diet Building, encouraging representatives to understand democracy. 06:00 Instructors teach concepts of democracy to citizens. 06:27 Man and woman walk side by side through a neighborhood, women lead civic affairs club meetings. 06:52 Political candidates deliver campaign speeches. 07:26 Japanese citizens vote. 07:44 Farmers work fields and rice paddies. 08:13 A school teacher leads young children in their studies. 08:38 Co-eds study at university. 08:56 Japanese Communists, including Sanzo Nosaka, meet at The Communist Party of Japan building. 09:18 People wash clothes, cook and eat rice in slums. 09:44 Crowds gather at a Communist meeting; people rally, wave flags. 10:14 Japanese prisoners of war return by boat from the Soviet Union, greeted by nurses. Prime Minister Shigeru Yoshida works at his desk. 10:59 Market goods are unloaded from a US cargo ship. 11:17 Japanese fishermen pull up nets full of fish. 11:34 Shipyards construct hulls for small ships. 11:48 Textile industries at work, women operate silk machines. Workers stack “Made in Occupied Japan” crates in a warehouse. 12:18 Trucks produced at the Toyota factory. Worker Takeshi Saito attaches a tire to a truck and attends a union meeting. 13:08 Workers leave the Toyota factory. Saito walks home, eats dinner with his family. 14:05 Kazuya Saito washes clothes on an outdoor washboard 14:18 Vegetable market. 14:44 Yoshinobu Saito, plays baseball with friends. 15:00 Kazuya reads the comic strip “Blondie.” 15:28 Takeshi and his son fish riverside. 15:40 Citizens worship at a Christian church. Japanese nuns tend to the sick. 16:06 The Gion festival in Kyoto, a procession of hoko floats roll down the street, puppeteers, performers in ceremonial dress dance. 16:39 Adoring citizens cheer Hirohito. 16:59 MacArthur steps out of his car; a teacher in school; citizens at a rally wave flags; workers construct ships. 17:33 END

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