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After the war, Japan was placed under international control of the Allies
through the Supreme Commander, Gen. Douglas Macarthur. U.S. objectives were
to ensure that Japan would become a peaceful nation and to establish
democratic self-government supported by the freely expressed will of the
people.
Political, economic, and social reforms were introduced,
such as a freely elected Japanese Diet (legislature) and universal adult
suffrage. The country's constitution took effect on May 3, 1947. The United
States and 45 other Allied nations signed the Treaty of Peace with Japan in
September 1951. The U.S. Senate ratified the treaty in March 20, 1952, and
under the terms of the treaty, Japan regained full sovereignty on April 28,
1952.
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