RG-115 Papers of Richard Poole, Government Section, SCAP

RG-115 Papers of Richard Poole, Government Section, SCAP; 2 boxes (1 Shelf Foot) Born and raised in Yokohama, Japan, Poole was an employee of the U.S. State Department before joining the navy for World War II. At the end of the war he was again back in Yokohama, and then was chosen to join the SCAP Government Section to help rewrite the Japanese constitution. His papers are a reflection of his work providing insight into his realm of the constitution; the emperor’s place in Japanese government and society. Also included are a large amount of materials concerned with later attempts by Japan to change the constitution.

Almost as soon as the Occupation of Japan began, MacArthur began discussions with Japanese about the need to change the Japanese constitution. One of the first people he discussed this with was Konoye Fumimaro, former premier of Japan, and a member of Higashikuni’s original post war cabinet. However, this was frowned upon by the U.S. Government as Konoye was to be named and tried as a war criminal. Fearing a constitution was to be imposed on them, the Japanese Matsumoto committee came up with a new one. It was not submitted to the Supreme Commander, but was instead printed in the Mainichi Shimbun newspaper. The Matusumoto draft made almost no changes in the status or position of the Emperor within the Japanese government. It was unacceptable and MacArthur tasked his Government Section of SCAP to create a new constitution for the Japanese.

Memorandum of BGEN Courtney Whitney, Government Section, on the release of the Matsumoto draft

(Richard Poole collection)

The Government Section, under BGEN Courtney Whitney, created various committees to work out the wording and logic for the different section of the new constitution. Charles Kades (See RG-33) was put in charge of drafting the constitution and overseeing the work of the various committees. Richard Poole was assigned to the committee working on the section dealing with the status of the Emperor’s position in the Japanese government.

General MacArthur gave broad guidelines to the Government Section for their work on the Constitution. However, he did have three specific areas he wanted addressed. This note is a copy of the handwritten note that was provided to Charles Kades by MacArthur signifying what he wanted.

(Richard Poole collection)

Many of the original documents from Poole’s constitutional committee were included in this collection.