In the period from January 1 to April 15, 1948, the major policy decision approved by the Far Eastern Commission dealt with the prohibition of military activity in Japan and disposition of Japanese military equipment. On February 12, 1948, the Commission directed that the possession of arms, ammunition, and implements of war by any Japanese should be prohibited, save that which might be authorized for Japanese civil police agencies and licensed hunters. The development, manufacture, importation or exportation of arms, ammunition and implements of war, the manufacture of aircraft of all kinds, and the construction of naval combatant and auxiliary vessels were similarly prohibited. In addition, reestablishment of any of the military ministries and their subsidiary service groups – such as the Naval General Headquarters and the Imperial High Command – was prohibited, together with ex-officers clubs, para-military organizations, or even associations of ex-officers ostensibly founded for legitimate purposes but being disguised forms of military organizations. All senior officers andc career officers in the Army, Navy and gendarmerie were prohibited from employment in the government service or educational institutions unless performing services essential to demobilization and repatriation.
