Journal Article

WWII Allies' Grand Plans for Postwar Asia & the Deviant Turnout: a Critical Review

Hsiung, James C.

2016

Overview

This article contrasts the original Allies' grand plans for post-WWII Asia with the subsequent turnout, which fell short of their expectations, as formulated in the Cairo Declaration (1943) and the Potsdam Declaration (1945). In the Instrument of Surrender it signed on Sept. 2, 1945, Japan pledged to implement in full the demands stated in both Declarations. One demand that was not fulfilled called for Japan's surrender of all territories it had taken by force from other countries. These would include the Ryukyus, an independent kingdom until conquered by Japan in 1879 (renamed Okinawa ever since), plus the Diaoyu island (Senkaku in Japanese) taken from China. The United States occupied both after V-J Day, but in its 1972 \"Okinawa Reversion\" move the island was included in the package, because Washington followed a deceptive 1939 Japanese map that showed Diaoyu/Senkaku as belonging to Okinawa. Consulting relevant international law, I found that the \"intent\" (commitment) the Allies conveyed in the Declarations, and Japan's signature on the Surrender Instrument, fulfilled the legal requirement to be binding international agreements. As agreements defining territorial arrangements, they were not subject to change following changed circumstances. Being equally bound by these agreements, the United States cannot escape charges of complicity by tolerating Japan's failure to live up to its obligations.

• Publisher: American Association for Chinese Studies
• Subject: International agreements / International law / Kingdoms / Legal declarations / Property reversion / Surrender / Territorial disputes / Territories / Treaties