Question

Aspiring sincerely to an international peace based on justice and order, the Japanese people forever renounce war as a sovereign right of the nation and the threat or use of force as a means of settling international disputes.

—Japanese Constitution,
Why would this part of Japan’s constitution have been important to MacArthur’s goals for Japan?

It gave the Japanese people the right to vote on war.

It prohibited Japan from having an army

It prevented Japan from forming alliances with other nations


Article 9

Answer 1

Correct answer: It prohibited Japan from having an army.

Explanation: Article 9 renounces war and bars Japan from maintaining “land, sea, and air forces” to settle international disputes. MacArthur’s goals included demilitarizing Japan and preventing future militarism/aggression, so this provision directly supported that aim. It did not give citizens a vote on war, nor did it bar alliances (Japan later entered security arrangements with the U.S.).