What title did Douglas MacArthur hold while overseeing the Allied occupation of Japan after World War II?

Douglas MacArthur held the title Supreme Commander for the Allied Powers while overseeing the Allied occupation of Japan. The position was commonly abbreviated as SCAP.

The role was created on August 14, 1945, as Japan's surrender became imminent. MacArthur accepted Japan's formal surrender aboard USS Missouri on September 2 and then directed the occupation from Tokyo. Although the title referred to the Allied powers, the occupation was led primarily by the United States and operated through Japanese government institutions under Allied authority.

SCAP supervised demilitarization, war-crimes proceedings, economic reforms, civil liberties, and the drafting of Japan's postwar constitution. In Japan, the abbreviation GHQ was also widely used for the occupation headquarters. MacArthur remained in the position until April 1951, when President Harry Truman relieved him during the Korean War.