Reverse Course

Reverse Course was a change in U.S. policy toward Japan during the post-World War II reconstruction.

It is linked to the escalation of the Cold War, the "loss" of China and the Korean War. Whereas the occupation had been begun and the pacifist Constitution written by Rooseveltian New-Dealers, it was taken over by McCarthy-era conservatives. Japan appeared weak—inflation, poverty, and leftist parties were growing—and ripe for communism. This shift fit into the containment policy of the US and was similar to Europe’s Marshall Plan. According to George F. Kennan's policies, Japan would serve as an industrial engine of East Asia. A strong Japanese economy would prevent Communism from spreading in Asia. Public sector workers lost right to strike, and severe blows were dealt to ideological freedom (Purge (During Occupation of Japan)), to the Zaibatsu busting process, and to anti-monopoly laws.

Significance for Japanese Foreign Policy: This ‘reverse course’ strengthened right-wing elements within Japanese society—including the yakuza and many politicians who had orchestrated World War II—and made Japan the cornerstone of US policy in Asia. Further it forced Japan’s foreign policy to be based around its relationship with the US. As the US Dept. of State official history puts it "In this "Reverse Course," Supreme Commander of the Allied Powers, General Douglas MacArthur, focused on strengthening, not punishing, what would become a key cold war ally",