Sexual Violence During the Occupation of Japan

Much recent writing on the post–World War II Occupation of Japan (1945–1952) has challenged the traditional picture of a well-disciplined American army laying the groundwork for Japan’s transition to democracy by the example of its behavior. Instead it depicts the Occupation, especially its opening phase, as marred by the widespread rape of Japanese women by American servicemen. Copious documentation of American behavior from both Japanese and American sources does not support such claims. Rather, it makes very clear that though there was some sexual violence perpetrated by American and other Allied servicemen, stories of mass rape during the Occupation are simply not credible.