During a meeting with the Japanese Prime Minister, MacArthur had hinted that once Japan's reconstruction met certain criteria, he would consider loosening the restrictions, including allowing some of the seized factories and equipment to be repurposed for civilian use.
The Japanese government had begun to feel hopeful again.
But now the U.S. was preparing to sell off these seized assets. If they were sold to Americans, there would be no chance for them to return to Japanese hands.
It was important to note that these companies represented virtually all of Japan's heavy industries. Losing them would inflict an irreversible blow to Japan's industrial base.
Prime Minister Shigeru Yoshida hurried to meet with MacArthur, hoping the general could intervene and stop the sale.
