Set of primary source documents

Document 1 "Reform of the Japanese Governmental System" (prepared by SWNCC Subcommittee for the Far East), October 8, 1945 (excerpt pp. 1-2)

Source: National Diet Library http://www.ndl.go.jp/constitution/e/shiryo/01/028shoshi.html

http://www.ndl.go.jp/constitution/e/shiryo/01/028shoshi.html

Document 2 Joji Matsumoto's "Four-Point Principle for Constitutional Reform," December 8, 1945 (with English commentary)





In a meeting of the Budget Committee of the House of Representatives on December 8, 1945, Joji Matsumoto, Chairman of the Constitutional Problems Investigation Committee, explained his principle for constitutional revision in response to questions from Takeyo Nakatani of the Independents' Club. What was to become known as Matsumoto's “four point principle” included:

1. Maintaining the sovereignty of the Emperor 2. Expanding the powers of the National Diet 3. Expanding the responsibilities of Ministers of State to the National Diet 4. Strengthening protections of the people's rights and liberties.

This was the policy initially set forth by the government for constitutional reform, but in actuality did not have a large impact. More importantly, as the Budget Committee of the House of Representatives continued on December 11, 1945, Chozaburo Mizutani of the Socialist Party argued that a democratic Constitution would not be possible if the Emperor system with the Emperor as a person with protected rights of sovereignty was allowed to continue. Based on this four-point principle, Matsumoto created his "Matsumoto Draft" (of a Japanese constitution) dated January 4, 1946.


Document 3A MacArthur Notes (MacArthur's Three Basic Points), February 3, 1946



Document 3B Telegram, MacArthur to Eisenhower, Commander in Chief, U.S. Army Forces, Pacific, concerning exemption of the Emperor from War Criminals, January 25, 1946 (excerpt p. 1)



Document 4 Discussions on the Day for Promulgation of the Constitution, October 14, 1946 (excerpt p. 1)

Source: National Diet Library http://www.ndl.go.jp/constitution/e/shiryo/04/002_44shoshi.html

http://www.ndl.go.jp/constitution/e/shiryo/04/002_44shoshi.html

Document 5 Explanatory Illustrations of the Constitution of Japan (with English commentary)



Document 5 Explanatory Illustrations of the Constitution of Japan (with English commentary)


Referring to the numbered frames on each page, here are notes about what is depicted in each frame, including prominent words, translated.

#1. The New Constitution: on the flagpole base is the "collective will of the people." #2. Responsibilities of the Emperor in national affairs. The 10 items are hard to decipher--1 is publicizing laws, 2-4 announces the opening of the Diet, 7 He grants national medals/honors, 8 He recognizes diplomatic credentials, 9 he receives foreign ambassadors... #3. Renunciation of War. #4. People's Rights and Duties. Nothing contrary to public well-being. (cf. the bear labeled "dictator" in background and the gun labeled "system of protection of rights") #5. Limits of Freedoms and Rights. (cf. the monkey of "waste") #6. Personal Rights of Individuals. The old constitution in military garb vs. new constitution of public law, where the nation embraces the people whose personal rights limit harm to public well-being. #7. Equality of the People. Balance on left equates the people with abstractions such as ethnicity, faith, natural differences, social status; but the aristocrat who stands for aristocracy & privilege falls off. #8. People's Right to Participate in Government. (The woman too is one of the people.) #9. Personal Liberty. #10. Cultural RIghts and Freedoms. Freedom of religion on left, education freedom, freedom of thought on right. #11. Freedom of Publishing. #12. Freedom of Choice/Paths in Life. Includes where you work and where you reside. #13. Freedom of Marriage. #14. Right to Life and Right to Work. #15. Restrictions on Private Enterprise. Harms to society & its laws are apprehended. #16. Personal Right of Access to Court System. #17. The National Diet, the legislative body of the Japanese government under the new constitution. #18. Process of Enacting Laws. #19. Constitutional Persons. The legislative and executive powers, court system? #20. Local Self-Government. #21. New Constitution is Japan's Highest Law. (i.e., the citizen has it in his possession) Commentary courtesy of Douglas Howland, David D. Buck Professor of Chinese History, University of Wisconsin Milwaukee for American Bar Association Division for Public Education




In a meeting of the Budget Committee of the House of Representatives on December 8, 1945, Joji Matsumoto, Chairman of the Constitutional Problems Investigation Committee, explained his principle for constitutional revision in response to questions from Takeyo Nakatani of the Independents' Club. What was to become known as Matsumoto's “four point principle” included:

1. Maintaining the sovereignty of the Emperor 2. Expanding the powers of the National Diet 3. Expanding the responsibilities of Ministers of State to the National Diet 4. Strengthening protections of the people's rights and liberties.

This was the policy initially set forth by the government for constitutional reform, but in actuality did not have a large impact. More importantly, as the Budget Committee of the House of Representatives continued on December 11, 1945, Chozaburo Mizutani of the Socialist Party argued that a democratic Constitution would not be possible if the Emperor system with the Emperor as a person with protected rights of sovereignty was allowed to continue. Based on this four-point principle, Matsumoto created his "Matsumoto Draft" (of a Japanese constitution) dated January 4, 1946.


Set of primary source documents

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