[adam_arthur]

I'm talking about the sentiment of the populace toward the US, not which legislators or leaders were in charge.

It's undeniable that by and large Japanese sentiment towards the US bounced back quickly, despite a traumatic and expansive war

[rchaud]

That goodwill is almost entirely due to the US' need to rebuild the Japanese economy rapidly to counter threats from China, North Korea and the Soviet Union. That happened through favourable trade deals and mass outsourcing of automotive and electronics jobs and diverting capital away from domestic military as per the US-written constitution of Japan.

Western and Japanese companies alike started moving production outside Japan once wages started eating into profit margins. Today, underemployment is common in Japan and the low birth rate is one of several symptoms of the economic stagnation that began in the early '90s. Populist governments won't be far behind.

[horsawlarway]

I don't think Japan after WW2 is the right comparison here.

My understanding is that generally they expected a MUCH more severe set of penalties and occupation after losing - especially given the unconditional surrender, and instead got a stable and functional provisional government for the next 7 years.

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Basically - Japanese sentiment is not a parallel to this. That time:

1. Japan started hostilities with a surprise attack

2. Lost, complete with unconditional surrender

3. Was then occupied by a government that was more stable, left much of the existing civilian infrastructure in place, and forgave many key figures (not the least of which was the emperor)

4. Then that government helped them roll out "new deal" style social reforms.

That is absolutely, utterly at odds with the current situation. There - the Allied powers were relatively graceful, culturally aware, and interested in a stable, functional government.

Here - We're insulting our friends, from a position where there's no moral high ground to stand on. Personally, I don't think they'll forget so quickly, and I think things will get much worse if the US continues down this path.

Can we rebuild those relationships? Sure, seems likely on a long enough timespan, but it takes a hell of a lot more effort to get it back than it does to throw away.