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The Japanese people, since the war, have undergone the greatest reformation recorded in modern history. With a commendable will, eagerness to learn, and marked capacity to understand, they have, from the ashes left in war's wake, erected in Japan an edifice dedicated to the supremacy of individual liberty and personal dignity; and in the ensuing process there has been created a truly representative government committed to the advance of political morality, freedom of economic enterprise, and social justice. Politically, economically, and socially Japan is now abreast of many free nations of the earth and will not again fail the universal trust... I sent all four of our occupation divisions to the Korean battlefront without the slightest qualms as to the effect of the resulting power vacuum upon Japan. The results fully justified my faith. I know of no nation more serene, orderly, and industrious, nor in which higher hopes can be entertained for future constructive service in the advance of the human race.

Douglas MacArthur#23

PeaceFreedomOccupationReformTrust

About this quote

What does it mean?
MacArthur praises Japan's post-war transformation into a free and orderly nation. He expresses confidence in its stability by noting he moved troops to Korea without worrying about Japan's security.
In plain terms
Japan rebuilt itself into a free and stable nation after the war.
What can you take from it?
Reform and trust can lead to lasting peace and order.

Where it applies

  • historical assessment
  • policy review
  • occupation report

Putting it to work

  • nation building
  • security assessment

Questions to consider

  • What makes a nation truly stable?
  • How do we measure successful reform?

Another view

It attributes success mainly to occupation rather than internal social dynamics.

More from Douglas MacArthur

  1. China, up to 50 years ago, was completely non-homogenous, being compartmented into groups divided against each other. The war-making tendency was almost non-ex…

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  2. While I was not consulted prior to the President's decision to intervene in support of the Republic of Korea, that decision from a military standpoint, proved …

    Permalink to quote #24
  3. The Pacific no longer represents menacing avenues of approach for a prospective invader. It assumes, instead, the friendly aspect of a peaceful lake. Our line …

    Permalink to quote #21

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