[bluepizza]

> quite opaque as to his decision-making

Genuine question: I thought it was well understood that his decision making was guided by a fear of Russian expansion, and that conservative measures (such as keeping the Emperor in place and several important politicians) were aimed at quickly reestablishing the country to avoid communist impetus from arising. Is this not the case?

[retrac]

Yes, you have it right. Japan collapsing politically would invite Soviet "aid" in the occupation of Japan. A partition like Germany was to be avoided. I just meant that you won't find anything from MacArthur clearly explaining it that way, as his retconned history, which became the accepted history, had a largely blameless imperial institution, so no justificatiom for its retention was really necessary.