What title did Douglas MacArthur hold while overseeing the Allied occupation of Japan?

Douglas MacArthur held the title Supreme Commander for the Allied Powers while overseeing the Allied occupation of Japan.

MacArthur was appointed Supreme Commander for the Allied Powers, commonly abbreviated SCAP, after Japan’s surrender. The title gave him authority to direct the occupation and supervise the implementation of Allied policies. Although the position represented the Allied powers collectively, the occupation was largely administered through American institutions and personnel.

MacArthur accepted Japan’s surrender on behalf of the Allied powers aboard USS Missouri on September 2, 1945. He also served as the central authority during the occupation, working with Japanese officials rather than replacing every existing government institution. His administration helped demilitarize Japan, conduct war-crimes trials, encourage land reform, and support the drafting of the 1947 Constitution of Japan. The title should not be confused with “Commander in Chief, Pacific,” a separate American military role that MacArthur held during the war.