Question

What were the United States’ primary goals in restructuring the Japanese government? Check all that apply.

democratizing the country
dismantling the military
electing a president
eliminating communist influences
prosecuting war criminals

Answer 1

Selected:
- democratizing the country
- dismantling the military
- prosecuting war criminals

Explanation: The U.S. occupation’s main aims were to demilitarize and democratize Japan and to remove and try militarist leaders for wartime crimes. Japan kept a constitutional monarchy (so electing a president was not a goal). Reducing communist influence became a larger priority later in the occupation as Cold War concerns grew, but it was not one of the initial primary restructuring goals.