ABSTRACT
The war led to the breakup of the Japanese Empire and the devastation of Japan’s home islands. The victorious Allied powers, led by the United States, occupied Japan from 1945 to 1952, overseeing the demilitarization of the country and establishing the structures needed to rebuild a peaceful, democratic Japan. A new constitution went into effect in 1947, effectively creating a constitutional monarchy; with American support, the Liberal Democratic Party emerged to win control of the Japanese government in 1955 reestablished diplomatic relations with the United States and oversaw Japan’s economic recovery.
