Figure 1.-- Here is a snapshot at what looks like a bridge being rebuilt. The little Japanese boy here was on his way to school (he is wearing his school uniform) and starteled to have his photograph taken. He was on his own. Usually the children approached the GIs in small grouos, feeling more safe in that way. From the expressions it easy to tell hat they usually loved to have their photograph taken. The photographer wrote on the back, "A little Jap boy out in the country, guess he never saw an American before, the way he looked he might have been scared." The snapshot is undated, but may have been taken in Sepember or October 1945 or possibly the next year in 1946.

We have not found many accounts of the personal experiences of Japanese children at the end of the War and during the American occupation. Language may be a factor here. As well as the Japanese penchant to see thmselves as victims which dies not fit in with the not only correct, but highly bebefucial Americn occupation. It must have been cultural shock of the first order. The children were not being told in school that Japan was losing the War, despite the clear evidence of major cities reduced to glowing embers. They were being prepared to resist the expected American invasion--an effort known as Ketsugo. And the public including children were told that the American werre monsters that would rape and kill, including children. They were also not told about the behvior of their own soldiers in countries tht Japan had occupied. So the Emperor's announcement that the country was surrendering was a unimaginable shock. Not only hearing he Emperor's voice for the first time, but what he had to say. Many Jpanese people braced for a brutal occupation. And the children heard terrible accounts of what was to come in the more than 2 weeks after the Emperor's announcement and the arrival of the Americans. It did not take long for the children to figure out that they had been lied to. They quickly learned that the American GIs were not only not brutal monsters, but a veritable cornucopia of candy (which had disappeared in Japan) as well as a brand new treat--bubble gum. We welcome any accounts that readers can provide or find.

Fujioka Keisuke

A Japanese reader Fujioka Keisuke writes, "I am very pleased to hear that you are preparing a section on the post World War II American occupation of Japan. I was born in 1934 in Tokyo. I and my family were in Tokyo during the American bombing. The terror and destruction were overwealming, just like Dresden. I think most Japanese were surprised with American occupation policy. I was second son of a publisher. My father was a socialist in pre-World War II Japan but there were strict Government controls. After Japan surrendered and the American occupation began, father enjoyed freedom to publish Marx, Engels, and Lenin under Macarthur's regulations." [Keisuke] We wonder how many countries enjoyed more freedom under a foreign military occupation than they had enjoyed under their own government.

Unidentified Boy

American GIs arrived in Japan not only with rifles, but also with cameras. They did not have to use their rifles, but they certainly used their cameras. Thus there is a mountain of snapshots that the GIs brought home to America. And one very popular subject was the kids they met. They wee mostly boys as parents were fearful of what the Aericans might do to girls. The childrn were initually stand offish, understanably fearful given what they had been told. Here is a snapshot at what looks like a bridge being rebuilt. The little Japanese boy here was on his way to school (he is wearing his school uniform) and starteled to have his photograph taken (figure 1). He was on his own. Usually the children approached the GIs in small grouos, feeling more safe in that way. From the expressions it easy to tell hat they usually loved to have their photograph taken. The photographer wrote on the back, "A little Jap boy out in the country, guess he never saw an American before, the way he looked he might have been scared." The snapshot is undated, but may have been taken in Sepember or October 1945 or possibly the next year in 1946.

Personal Experiences

Keisuke, Fujioka.

Created: 5:16 PM 1/16/2015
Last updated: 5:16 PM 1/16/2015