Unlike Germany, Japan is entirely occupied by the United States of America. Post war politics in Japan were dominated by Prime Minister Yoshida. Prime Minister Yoshida is most famous for the Yoshida doctrine that dominated Japanese politics during the Cold War. Under the Yoshida doctrine Japan became a pacifist nation. Japan relied entirely on the United States for its security and focused on developing its economy.

This resulted in rapid reindustrialization and economic growth. This program was so successful that by the late 1960s Japan was the third largest economy in the world, and despite slowing economic growth remain the third largest economy to this day. With aid equal or in excess of the OTL 2.2 billion dollars given to Japan, Japan’s economic recovery will be swift and explosive.

However, currently, Japan is in crisis. The country is plagued by starvation and it is taking every effort of the American military to stave off famine and mass starvation. Beyond that the horrors of World War II have convinced the Japanese people that pacifism is the way forward. Despite this many politicians still downplay and excuse Japan’s war crimes and are reluctant to give up on Japanese nationalism. Many Japanese voters agree. For almost the entire Cold War the Liberal Democratic party dominated Japanese politics, leading too many to jokingly refer to Japan as a one and a half party system.

That is not to say there is not political struggle in Japan. The Liberal Democratic Party, and before its creation in 1955, the parties that merged to become it were huge tent parties. The party housed almost all anti-leftists in Japanese politics from Liberals like Yoshida to ultranationalists who reject Japan’s responsibility for its crimes in WWII. Although the Liberal Democratic party will almost inevitably gain power, which factions are strongest will depend on outside event.

Even after occupation ended the United States, and therefore the events of the Cold War, directed Japanese foreign policy. If, how, and when Japan rearms will be a reaction to events. If the Cold War involves less fighting than in OTL, especially if there is no Korean War, Japan will be even more pacifist without a reason to form the SDF. However, if NATO is weakened and the USSR aggressive it is likely Japan will be forced to rearm by the United States. Whatever the case Japan is poised to become a top rate economic power with a large place in Asian Cold War politics. Whether that power is expressed through soft power or hard power depends on world developments and US politics.