Japan (Cherry, Plum, and Chrysanthemum)

Japan (Japanese: 明湄 Myōmi; formally 大明湄民國 Dai-Myōmi Minkoku; literally Greater Japanese Republic; officially Republic of Japan) is an island nation in East Asia. Located in the Pacific Ocean, it lies to the east of the Sea of Japan, North China, South China, Korea and Russia, stretching from the southern part of Sakhalin island in the north to the Nanyo islands in the south.

Japan is an archipelago of 8,964 islands. The five largest islands are Honshū, Ezo, Kyūshū, Shikoku and Takasago, together accounting for ninety-six percent of Japan's land area. Japan has the world's eight-largest population, with over 153 million people. The Greater Tokyo Area, which includes the capital city of Tokyo and several surrounding provinces, is the largest metropolitan area in the world, with over 40 million residents.

Climate
The climate of Japan is predominantly temperate, but varies greatly from north to south. Japan's geographical features divide it into eight principal climatic zones: Karafuto-Chishima-Ezo, Sea of Japan, Central Highland, Seto Inland Sea, Pacific Ocean, Ryūkyū Islands, Takasago and Nanyo Islands. The northernmost zone, Karafuto, Ezo and Chishima islands, has a humid continental climate with long, cold winters and very warm to cool summers. Precipitation is not heavy, but the islands usually develop deep snowbanks in the winter.

In the Sea of Japan zone on Honshū's west coast, northwest winter winds bring heavy snowfall. In the summer, the region is cooler than the Pacific area, though it sometimes experiences extremely hot temperatures because of the foehn wind. The Central Highland has a typical inland humid continental climate, with large temperature differences between summer and winter, and between day and night; precipitation is light, though winters are usually snowy. The mountains of the Chūgoku and Shikoku regions shelter the Seto Inland Sea from seasonal winds, bringing mild weather year-round.

The Pacific coast features a humid subtropical climate that experiences milder winters with occasional snowfall and hot, humid summers because of the southeast seasonal wind. The Ryukyu Islands have a subtropical climate, with warm winters and hot summers. Precipitation is very heavy, especially during the rainy season. The generally humid, temperate climate exhibits marked seasonal variation such as the blooming of the spring cherry blossoms, the calls of the summer cicada and fall foliage colors that are celebrated in art and literature.

In Takasago, the climate is generally marine and varies widely by season in the Northern part and the mountain areas. The Southern part of the island, however, belongs to the tropical belt and is warm and humid all year. The southernmost part of the country, Nanyo islands has a tropical climate all year round with an annual mean temperature of 82 °F (28 °C). Rainfall is heavy throughout the year, averaging a total of 150 inches (3,800 mm). The average humidity over the course of the year is 82%, and although rain falls more frequently between July and October, there is still much sunshine.

The average winter temperature in Japan is 5.1 °C (41.2 °F) and the average summer temperature is 25.2 °C (77.4 °F). The highest temperature ever measured in Japan—40.9 °C (105.6 °F)—was recorded on 16 August 2007. The main rainy season begins in October in Nanyo islands, then in early January in Takasago, and the rain front gradually moves north until reaching Ezo in late July. In most of Honshu, the rainy season begins before the middle of June and lasts about six weeks. In late summer and early autumn, typhoons often bring heavy rain.

Politics and Government
The Republic of Japan is the authoritarian government under the rule of Japanese Nationalist Party which based from the ideology of Social Nationalism and the principle of National Democracy

The President of the Republic of Japan (民國総裁 Minkoku Sōsai) elected by the National Congress from among its members every four years. The President is the head of state of Republic, and the nominal commander-in-chief of the armed forces.

The Council of Ministers (閣僚評議會 Kakuryō Riji-kai) serves as the highest administrative body of Japan. It is consisted by the Prime Minister (首相 Shushō), the Vice-Prime Ministers (副首相 Fuku-Shushō), and the Ministers of State (國務相 Kokumushō).

The National Congress (國民代表大會 Kokumin Daihyō Taikai) elected every four years by the direct election. The election, however, only participated by the parties that recognized as legal under the Japanese law, with the Nationalist Party as leading party.

To exercise daily legislative functions, the National Congress elected the members of Legislative Council (立法院 Rippō-in) from among its members every two years. The Legislative Council is describes by the constitution as the main law-making body of the Republic.

The State Council (國務院 Kokumu-in) have a minor significance role in the day-to-day government. Its members elected by the electoral college, consisted by 40 electorates, in every provinces every six years. The National Front, an alliance of legal political parties always nominating two candidates in each provinces as "All-Party candidates". The State Council functioning as the main advisory body for the government.

The National Court (國民裁判所 Kokumin Saibansho) serves as the supreme judicature for the whole territory of Japanese Republic. It supervises the administration of justice by the state courts at various levels. Japan, is the one of few non-communist country that applying the procuratorial system. The procuratorates charged with both the investigation and prosecution of crime with the office of National Procuratorate (國民檢察院 Kokumin Kensatsu-in) at the national level.

Classical Japan
A Paleolithic culture around 30,000 BC constitutes the first known habitation of the Japanese archipelago. This was followed from around 14,000 BC (the start of the Jōmon period) by a Mesolithic to Neolithic semi-sedentary hunter-gatherer culture, who include ancestors of both the contemporary Ainu people and Yamato people, characterized by pit dwelling and rudimentary agriculture. Decorated clay vessels from this period are some of the oldest surviving examples of pottery in the world. Around 300 BC, the Yayoi people began to enter the Japanese islands, intermingling with the Jōmon. The Yayoi period, starting around 500 BC, saw the introduction of practices like wet-rice farming, a new style of pottery, and metallurgy, introduced from China and Korea.

Japan first appears in written history in the Chinese Book of Han. According to the Records of the Three Kingdoms, the most powerful kingdom on the archipelago during the 3rd century was called Yamataikoku. Buddhism was first introduced to Japan from Baekje of Korea, but the subsequent development of Japanese Buddhism was primarily influenced by China. Despite early resistance, Buddhism was promoted by the ruling class and gained widespread acceptance beginning in the Asuka period (592–710).

The Nara period (710–784) of the 8th century marked the emergence of a strong Japanese state, centered on an imperial court in Heijō-kyō (modern Nara). The Nara period is characterized by the appearance of a nascent literature as well as the development of Buddhist-inspired art and architecture. The smallpox epidemic of 735–737 is believed to have killed as much as one-third of Japan's population. In 784, Emperor Sudo moved the capital from Nara to Nagaoka-kyō before relocating it to Heian-kyō (modern Kyoto) in 794.

The Zen school of Buddhism was introduced from China in the later part of Heian period (784–1333) and became popular among the petite noble class. Japan repelled Mongol invasions in 1274, but was eventually successfully defeated by Mongol in 1281. Between 1281 and 1590, Japan become the tributary state to Yuan Dynasty and its successor, Ming Dynasty.

Under the leadership of Nobunaga Oda, Japan regained its independence in 1590 and even ambitiously tried to invade Korea between 1592 and 1596. But following defeats by Korean and Ming Chinese forces and Nobunaga's death, Japanese troops were withdrawn in 1596. Under the rule of Emperor Go-Mizunoo, Japan enjoyed high degree in the development of economy and art. The power of national government centered under the hand of Emperor while the Oda clan became the prominent ruling family as the regents for the Emperor. Japan later moved its invasion to South, towards the Kingdom of Ryukyu and island of Takasago (known by the Westerners as "Formosa") in 1624.

In 1679, Emperor Yonichi renamed Japan as "Great Wa Empire" that spanned the two centuries as maritime empire over the region of Oceania, known as the Daiwa period (1590–1920). The study of Western sciences, known as rangaku, continued through contact with the Dutch enclave at Dejima in Nagasaki. This period also gave rise to kokugaku ("national studies"), the study of Japan by the Japanese.

Modernization (1854-1920)
On March 31, 1854, Commodore Matthew Perry and the "Black Ships" of the United States Navy forced the opening of Japan to the outside world with the Convention of Kanagawa. Subsequent similar treaties with Western countries in the Bakumatsu period brought economic and political crises. The Imperial government, led by Great Councillor (大老 Tairō) Ii Naosuke initiated several programs to modernize Japanese military. When Emperor Ninko suddenly died in 1865, Ii installed his own Imperial candidate, Prince Kitashirakawa Yoshihisa for the Chrysanthemum throne as Emperor Tōbu. In this position, Sekkan government not only control the military, but also the Kyoto Imperial Court.

Ii's actions led to the First Japanese Civil War between 1866-1867. Afraid the future collapse of Sekkan domination over Imperial Government, Kampaku Oda Nobumichi agreed to cooperate with Ii. Both parties agreed to open Japan up to the international community and began more broader modernizations in political, judicial and social institutions. Under Ii's leadership, Sekkan government unified all local armies into one national army and national navy which equipped by modern weapons and Western techniques.

Four divisions of society abolished in 1874 and Western bureaucracy system officially implemented in 1875. All members of ancient court nobility formed new aristocratic class, kazoku. Senate of Japan (元老院 Genrōin), composed by kazoku nobility representatives assembled in Tokyo on 1875 and promulgated Tokyo Charter, proto-constitution of Japan.

Inspired after the Chancellor of Prussia, Otto von Bismarck, who modernized Imperial Germany to become a nation with strong military leadership, Ii appointed himself as the Chancellor of the Realm ( 太政大臣 Daijō Daijin) in 1877. After Ii's death, he replaced by Uesugi Mochinori in 1891. Ii's radical reforms succeed to transforms Japanese military into the first modern Asian armed forces and able to support Japan for expanding its sphere of influence.

After victories in the First Sino-Japanese War (1894–1895) and the Spanish-Japanese War (1898-1901), Japan gained control of Kwantung, Shandong Peninsula, and the Philippines islands. Japan's population grew from 35 million in 1873 to 50 million in 1920. Emperor Tōbu died in 1904. Tōbu's son, Prince Takeda Tsunehisa succeeded him and enthroned as Emperor Keishin.

Japan entered World War I in 1914 and sided with the Allied Powers. Central Powers defeated in 1918 and Japan gained control of German New Guinea. Although already win the Great War, Japan’s economy already suffered and almost collapse. Soon after the death of Emperor Keishin in 1919, the workers and peasant uprisings against Imperial government, however, was inevitable.

Ten-Year Civil War (1920-1930)
Toward the end of the war, Japan succumbed into deep economic crisis. In August 1918, rice riots caused by this inflation erupted in towns and cities throughout Japan. At the north, the White Russian Army that escaped from Siberia after the Bolshevik gained controls over the country, occupied Karafuto (Japanese part of Sakhalin island) in September 1918. The anti-communist Empire of Japan tried to cooperate with the White Russians for halting the spread of Communism by planned to create a buffer state in Sakhalin. This action led to protests by most of Japanese nationalists as they viewed Karafuto as the legitimate part of the Empire.

The death of Emperor Keishin, the main opponent of White Russian aggression, in 1919 marked the government’s loss of support from the nationalists. The series of protests from both right- and left-wing movements erupted in Tokyo, Kobe, Osaka, Kyoto, Osaka, and Hiroshima. The demonstrations in Japan itself came to peak earlier in November 13, 1918. Over 5,200 peoples gathered in Ii Naosuke Square, Kyoto to hear the speech from Nagayama Yoshida, the Kyoto leader of Japanese People's Party.

In his speech, Nagayama fiercely addressed the crowd to “drive out the Barbarians (White Russians) from our Empire and save Asia from Western imperialism.” He added, “Although we just the yellow-colored people in the Westerners’ eyes, we must believe and forever believe, we can stand in our own feet, by our own strength, to our own nation. Neither me nor you, whole Japanese nation, wanted to be a slave in our own country!” That speech quickly spread through both left- and right-wing newspapers. The whole nation was electrified.

All Japanese nationalists soon hailed Nagayama Yoshida as the supreme leader of Japanese Revolution. Less than two weeks, Yoshida's popularity sky-rocketed and he became the icon of Revolution. The number of People's Party members also significantly increased, especially in the Central Japan provinces

In January 16, 1919, nineteen leaders of People's Party convened the meeting at Kyoto and concluded the resolution which known as “Proclamation of the Action”, that called for Japanese people to form a new grass-root government and defend the nation by themselves, not depended on Imperial Army. The resolution is very important to lay the foundation of modern Japanese Republic and the Japanese Republic Armed Forces.

The tense of Japanese Revolution effected the Imperial government action in the colonial provinces. About 6,450 people were killed in the Philippines after being accused as “extremists”. In February 17, 1919, the delegation of Japanese Nationalist Party, Japanese Socialist Party, Japanese Workers’ Union and Formosan Chinese Cultural Association met in secret in Sapporo, Hokkaido. The meeting resulted in the decision from all delegations to establish a “united opposition front”.

The Great Japanese People’s Conference gathered in Osaka on April 11, 1919 and attended by the delegations from all across Japanese archipelago. Among of the delegates, Nagayama Yoshida attended as deputy from Kyoto, Matsutaka Imada from Kumamoto, Hotori Etsu from Kochi, Yoshinohe Toyoda from Chiba, and Shimamori Itsuke from Takasago.

The leader of Chinese Revolution, Dr. Sun Yat-sen, gave his support to Japanese revolutionary movement by sent a personal letter to Nagayama Yoshida in April 2, 1920 that stated the movement in Japan as the better improvement for realization of Pan-Asia Union in the future. The same support also came from the Bolshevik leader, Vladimir Lenin.

The situations in foreign embassies in Tokyo getting worse. The nationalist sympathizers attacked the British stations and killed the foreigners that suspected as “Western imperial agents”. The Japanese Parliament in Osaka filled with heated debates between the delegates that support the revolutionary movement and the against ones.

In February 7, 1920, Nationalist-based Japanese Revolutionary Army formed with Colonel Matsutaka Imada from the Sixth Division of Imperial Army as its Field Commander. The Army itself took a loyalty to the Great Japanese People’s Conference, instead to the Emperor. The Revolutionary forces tried to build a strong military base in mountainous areas that stretch along Central Japan to avoid any threats and influences from the Imperial Army. The first Central Headquarters of JRA was established later in Nagano, Shinano Province on August 20, 1921.

The National Protection Government formed in Kanazawa, Kaga Province on August 22, 1920. The government headed by the Executive Council of National People’s Conference, consisted by:
 * Nagayama Yoshida as Political Commander of the Army and Navy
 * Hōtori Etsu as Secretary of the Council
 * Colonel Matsutaka Imada as Field Commander of the Army
 * Captain Takahagi Shiromiya as Fleet Commander of the Navy
 * Yoshinohe Toyoda, Aikiro Yoichii and Atsugawa Ōsobe as First Councelors
 * Motonara Hishaku, Satsudaira Ezō, Motonari Aichi, Shozaku Kumashira as Second Councelors
 * Koga Ichiru, Sendaiki Atsuma, Tomozawa Genbu, Noburo Sen, Ichigaya Makino, Miyagawa Haneda, and Sumimoto Akira as Associate Counselors
 * Genji Fukuzawa, Kōda Bonsuke, Tayama Madaira, Yuzaki Isei and Nōki Haseguchi as Assistant Secretaries (Secretariat of the Council).

As the Political Commander of Army and Navy, Yoshida granted the title of “Generalissimo” by the Western media and brought the Nationalist Party hegemony over the Revolutionary Army. After the establishment of Republic in 1931, the position of Political Commander later included into the office of President of the Republic, as stated in 1931 Japanese Constitution: “The President of the Republic is the political commander of the National Army and the National Navy.”

The Revolutionary Army and the Imperial Army fought their first protracted battle in Kanume, Shimotsuke, known as the Battle of Akayama, that would last until September 19, 1921. The Battle of Akayama marked the beginning the Japanese Civil War between the revolutionaries and the imperial government which would lasted from September 1921 until April 1930.

The Revolutionary forces successfully defeated the Government forces in Kitakyushu, Fukuoka, Kyushu on April 27, 1930. Prime Minister Shidehara agreed to ceasefire and signed the Instrument of Surrender in Kyoto on May 16, 1930. Empress Anmei announced her abdication from the throne in May 18, 1930 and the Empire of Japan officially abolished in May 27, 1930 and the provisional revolutionary Republican government, led by Nagayama Yoshida and Etsu Hotori effectively took over the control of the country in May 29, 1930.

First Republic era (1931-1942)
main article, see: First Republic of Japan

After the defeat of Imperial Japan forces by the Revolutionary forces on April 27, 1930, the revolutionary coalition formed a provisional government in Tokyo with Nagayama Yoshida and Hotori Etsu as the co-head of government. The provisional government ruled the country from May 1930 to February 1931.

The new republican government of Japan proclaimed on February 16, 1931 and the new republican constitution had been promulgated by the first National Congress on February 18. It established a single-party state system under the Nationalist Party of Japan.

Under the new government, Japan subsequently implemented many radical reforms included the abolition of noble titles, the introduction of Great Economic Plan, the nationalization of all zaibatsu companies, industries, and banks, the abolition of State Shinto and the simplification of national language. To expand its influence in Asia, Japan declared war with Joseon Dynasty and the Fentian clique and invaded Korea and Inner Manchuria in January 1931. Korea and Manchuria made as the associated states of Japan. By 1939, Japan economy recovered and raised its status as the leading economy power in Asia

World War II (1939-1945)
for main article, see: Fascist Japan

Due the success of the Great Economic Plan, Japan re-expanded its national arms industry at the middle of 1930s. By 1939, the weapons, artillery and tanks productions of Japan reached its peak and the Japanese Army was the largest armies in Asia and Pacific.

President Nagayama Yoshida's declining health in late 1930s led to the power struggle within the Nationalist Party of Japan. The radical faction, led by Nakano Seigo, was supported the expansion of the Japanese Realm to all parts of Pacific Islands and the collaboration with Nazi Germany and China under Chiang Kai-shek against the Soviet communism and Western liberalism. Nakano faction supported by the Japanese Navy, the traditional influential political force during Imperial Era.

The Party and the Military relationship getting worse and put under critical condition in May 19, 1940 after pro-Navy military polices surrounded the Presidential Palace, the Government Hall, the Central Office of Nationalist Party, the Tokyo Municipality Hall ,and the building of National Congress in attempt to pressure Yoshida to appoint Nakano Seigo as the new Prime Minister

The martial law declared in June 4, 1940. The 1931 Constitution annulled by the Central Committee of the National Government, the power of National Congress transferred to the Central Committee led by Nakano Seigo and the Nationalist Party of Japan officially disbanded in June 7, 1940

Some of Party leaders arrested and executed, while others such as Hotori Etsu, Sazaki Oda, Mizunari Kazama and Yoshinohe Yamada succeed to escape to Hongkong, then New Zealand and formed the National Committee of Constitutional Protection in July 12, 1940

Nagayama Yoshida appointed as the Honorary President of the exiled government and Hōtori Etsu as the Prime Minister. The loyalist General of the Army, Katobushi Toshio became the nominal commander-in-chief of the Resistance forces. The Resistance Government sent their delegations to Washington to re-negotiate the peace. The United States then recognized the resistance government as the legitimate authority of Japan islands on November 3, 1942.

Under military government, Japan formed the alliance with China, Germany and Italy in September 27, 1940. On October 1, 1940, Japan declared the war to British Empire and France, and then also Netherlands who colonized the South and Southeast Asia.

With the occupation of Thailand and Malaya in the years of 1940–41, the United States placed embargoes on Japan of strategic materials such as scrap metal and oil, which were vitally needed for the war effort. The Japanese were faced with the option of either withdrawing the Southeast Asia campaign and losing face or seizing and securing new sources of raw materials in the resource-rich, European-controlled colonies of South East Asia—specifically British Malaya and the Dutch East Indies (modern-day Indonesia).

The Navy of Fascist Japan made its surprise attack on Pearl Harbor, Oahu, Hawaii, on Sunday morning, December 7, 1941. The Pacific Fleet of the United States Navy and its defending Army Air Forces and Marine air forces sustained significant losses. The primary objective of the attack was to incapacitate the United States long enough for Japan to establish its long-planned Southeast Asian empire and defensible buffer zones. The U.S. public saw the attack as a treacherous act and rallied against the Fascist governments in China and Japan. The United States entered the European Theatre and Pacific Theater in full force. Four days later, Adolf Hitler of Nazi Germany declared war on the United States, merging the separate conflicts.

Following the attack on Pearl Harbor, the Japanese launched offensives against an Allied forces in South East Asia, with simultaneous attacks on Hong Kong, British Malaya and Dutch East Indies.

The Southeast Asian Campaign was preceded by years of propaganda and espionage activities carried out in the region by the Japan. The Japanese espoused their vision of an Asia for Asians to the people of Asia, who had lived under European rule for generations. As a result, many inhabitants in the region actually sided with the Japanese.

This setback of the Pacific battle was followed in June 1942 by the catastrophic loss of a four carrier task force at the Battle of Midway. Midway was a decisive defeat for the Fascist Japanese Navy, and proved to be the turning point of the war. Australian land forces defeated Fascist Japanese Marines in New Guinea at the Battle of Milne Bay in September 1942, which was the first land defeat suffered by the Japanese in the Pacific. Further defeats by the Allies at Guadalcanal in September 1942, and New Guinea in 1943 put Fascist Japan on the defensive for the remainder of the war.

By 1944, the Allies had seized or bypassed and neutralized many of Japan's strategic bases through amphibious landings and bombardment. By early 1945, the U.S. Marines had gotten the control of the Ogasawara Islands marking the beginning of the fall of Fascist authority.

With the Allies help, the 1st and 2nd Japanese AFJLF units led by General Katobushi entered Ezo Island from Ayan, Soviet Union on March 1945 and success to captured the entire islands (in exception with Takasago which captured earlier by the 3rd Japanese unit of AFJLF) on July 1945 with the fall of Tokyo. Nakano Seigo and another war leaders arrested by the Allied forces on August 1945. After concerned the Postdam Declaration, Provisional Government of Japan in Tokyo agreed to seek an armistice with the Allies. In a national radio address of August 14, General Katobushi announced that termination of the war to the Japanese people

Second Republic of Japan (1945-1994)
for the main article, see: Second Republic of Japan

In August 18, 1945, the provisional government of Japan set up in Tokyo appointed Katobushi Toshio as an ad interim head of government. The Fascist Japanese forces in Southeast Asia and Oceania put under status quo before can fully demilitarized by the Anti-Fascist Japanese Liberation Forces. In August 21, 1945, General Katobushi issued a general order of Japanese peaceful demilitarization. The 7th, 8th and 9th Japanese units of AFJLF moved the Southern Headquarters of AFLJF from New Zealand to Kororu, Nan’yo islands and followed by 4th and 5th Japanese units.

The Seventh Japanese AFJLF unit exercised demilitarization in Philippines and Sulu; the Eighth Japanese unit in Japanese New Guinea; while the Ninth Japanese unit aided the Allied forces in Borneo and Sulawesi. The dominion governments recovered in Korea, Manchuria, Philippines, and Sulu with the stationed Allied forces in respective countries and the Japanese administration in Kwantung and New Guinea restored.

General Katobushi Toshio declared the abolition of Fascist government institutions, the restoration of pre-war Republican institutions and Japanese Nationalist Party organizations. The police forces separated from army to avoid any military influences and became the independent civilian institution on December 12, 1945. While these other reforms were taking place, various military tribunals, most notably the International Military Tribunal for the Far East in Ichigaya and the Kwantung International Military Tribunal in Kwantung, were trying Japan's war criminals and sentencing many to death and imprisonment.

In January 7, 1946, Nagayama Yoshida term as President of the Republic renewed and extended for the next two years by the Extended Second Convocation of National Congress. The Japanese constitution amended under Allied pressures, renounced war and banned Japan from maintaining any war forces. The armed forces of Japan intended to be only the defense forces. This was intended to prevent the country from ever becoming an aggressive military power again.

The strong influences of Genro before the war finally ended by the repeal of 1931 National Election Law where allowed the candidates of National Congress to be arranged by the Party elders. The first post-war Japan general election held all around the islands was a victory for the right-wing elements of MKT, which dominated the party gained 209 seats while the left-wingers gained 114 seats in the National Congress. On March 17, 1948, Ozaki Yukio elected as President of the Republic replacing Nagayama Yoshida.

The 1947 Nationalist Party Congress saw the emergence of new generation of Party leadership. The right-wing faction, led by General Katobushi Toshio and Tokyo party committee under Mizunari Kazama faced a bitter opposition from the left-wing elements, led by the First Secretary of Central Secretariat Hotori Etsu and Hakodate party committee under Takamatsu Yoshimisa. Mizunari favored the liberalization of economy, commerce and banking, the involvement of foreign capital, and focused on small private enterprises development while Hotori favored to continue the quasi-mercantilist Great Economic Plan.

With the support of Katobushi, Mizunari successfully elected to the Party Central Committee and then as the one of full members of Politburo. At the age of 45, Mizunari became the youngest member on Party leadership. General Katobushi Toshio, who opposed by older Party leaders, tried to form a political alliance with younger leaders to rise as the next paramount leader of Japan. Hotori Etsu who still held prominent influences in the Central Secretariat viewed Katobushi as his greatest political rival. Katobushi, however, had no position in Party leadership and needed Mizunari to consolidate his own power in the Party.

Under Mizunari’s supervision, the Party established the military counterpart of the Politburo, the Military Bureau of the Nationalist Party of Japan, or more known as the Militburo in May 1948. Katobushi instated as the head of the institution and became the only Party leader that rises into power without involved in the Party Congress. Katobushi-Mizunari coalition slowly replaced the left-wing elements in provincial party committees with the right-wing ones. Nagayama Yoshida began to devolve his power to Katobushi as the First Vice President of the Republic since Ozaki Yukio only instated as a ceremonial President of the Republic.

In 1950, the government began to relaxes its control over economy and press. Japan's national economy still invested heavily on industrial and agricultural field in Manchuria and Korea. Several policies implemented before the war also continued such as total abolition of kanji characters and changes on Japanese orthography after the country relation with China strained in the late 1940s. The "Japanization" policy pushed throughout the nation to realizes Nagayama Yoshida's teaching for purge the Chinese influences in Japanese society.

Started from 1946, Japan experienced several "constitutional missions" from Japanese overseas dependencies. Korea sent its delegation in July 21, 1946 to Tokyo to deliberate with the National Congress of Japan for repealing the 1932 Korean Dominion Law and granting Korea the status as an independent and sovereign nation.

Japan really considered about decolonization for its dependencies since the country still re-developed its national economy and the state invested its industries mainly in Korea and Manchuria. Korean constitutional mission took about three years of constant negotiations before both countries reached an agreement in January 3, 1949. The Constitution of Republic of Korea adopted in February 27, 1949 and the independence proclaimed in March 1, 1949. Korean constitutional mission later followed by "Manchuria constitutional missions" (1948-1950) that resulted to the independence of Manchuria in 1950 and "Kwantung constitutional missions" (1950-1951; 1954; 1966-1967) that resulted to the greater expansion of Kwantung political and economical autonomy.